• What does it look like to live a professional life dedicated exclusively to scientific research work? In medias res, every day from 9 am to 5 pm (and beyond), live.​

• What does it mean to keep up with the modern approach to clinical studies?​

• Is the classic design of clinical studies an immutable category? Or an evolutionary process?​

• How important is it to build a base of qualified participants in clinical studies? How can they be mobilized quickly and qualitatively, and retained in the future?​

• Is the completion of one study necessary to start a new one in the same or similar area? Is it possible to continuously adapt the study design?​

• Can observation be perpetuated?​

• Can a clinical study be performed entirely remotely?​

• What roles and qualifications of team members does a quality clinical study rely on? How to ensure quality executive staff, their continuous education and maintenance of a high level of quality work? How often is certification and recertification required and in which areas?​

• How to maintain the highest standards of safety and protection of participants, their health, life and well-being?

• How are data handled and protected during the study, and after completion? How is their safety and security ensured, how is privacy and personal data protected? What about data after the study is completed?​

• What are the SOPs for collection, handling of biological and other samples, conditions and regulations for transport and biobanking?​

• Who, when, how and what monitors during the implementation of the study? Why is it necessary to evaluate the progress of the study, possible deviations and problems, assess and mitigate risks?​

• Who, to whom and how often reports on all of the above?​

• What about the regulation, registration and ethical approval of a clinical study, in EU member states and outside the EU?​

• What is the procedure for submitting an application for registration, ethical and legal approval of a clinical trial?​

• When and under whose jurisdiction are the Dissemination and Publication of Clinical Study Results?

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I had the opportunity to attend and hear about all this from the central point of the events, from competent people in the team, each in their own (sub)sphere. To see firsthand how a TEAM of young and senior functions and closely cooperates, with respect for position and hierarchy, full dedication to the goal until its fulfillment, with selfless investment in the education and progress of young people and devotion to the leadership of the seniors. To get involved in a collective, where investment in knowledge and mastering the way of working, cooperation and appreciation of the position, mutual respect and interpersonal relationships, function as a modus vivendi in everyday research work and clinical research, in their essence.

 

I would like to thank my host Cristina Prat Aymerich for her warm welcome, support and time, as well as her unselfish sharing of knowledge, essential information and familiarization with the way of working at the Ecraid Headquarters in Utrecht, the Netherlands.

 

I would like to thank the CEO of Ecraid, Lennie Derde, for accepting my visit to the Ecraid Headquarters, as well as the research staff who (despite their busy schedules) took the time to present their contributions to the work, guide me and answer the questions I asked. This was a significant stay both in terms of the potential for impact and in terms of opening new horizons for collaboration.

 

I would like to thank the COST Action CA21164 ADVANCE-TB team, the Chair Alicia Lacoma and the Grant Holder Scientific Representative Jose Domínguez for supporting this short-term scientific mission and recognizing the opportunity to expand the collaboration (the “Networking of Networks” process).

 

There are numerous opportunities to apply, provided you have good collaborators and a compact team to work with, the right attitude, harmony and complementarity in teamwork.

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Zorica Nanovic