Will AI Replace Clinical Research Coordinators?

Schedule subjects for appointments, procedures, or inpatient stays as required by study protocols.

data analysis — AI arranges schedules; human manages real-world changes

Perform specific protocol procedures such as interviewing subjects, taking vital signs, and performing electrocardiograms.

interpersonal — Live interviewing is human relational work

Assess eligibility of potential subjects through methods such as screening interviews, reviews of medical records, or discussions with physicians and nurses.

interpersonal — Live interviewing is human relational work

Prepare study-related documentation, such as protocol worksheets, procedural manuals, adverse event reports, institutional review board documents, or progress reports.

text generation — Status/progress reports from tracked data

Inform patients or caregivers about study aspects and outcomes to be expected.

interpersonal — Stakeholder communication needs relationship and judgment

Record adverse event and side effect data and confer with investigators regarding the reporting of events to oversight agencies.

text generation — Maintain compliance docs; human verifies currency

Monitor study activities to ensure compliance with protocols and with all relevant local, federal, and state regulatory and institutional polices.

decision support — AI tracks regulatory compliance across documents

Oversee subject enrollment to ensure that informed consent is properly obtained and documented.

situated mobility — Live monitoring of people in physical settings

Maintain required records of study activity including case report forms, drug dispensation records, or regulatory forms.

text generation — Maintain compliance docs; human verifies currency

Identify protocol problems, inform investigators of problems, or assist in problem resolution efforts, such as protocol revisions.

data analysis — Diagnoses operational problems from data; human acts

Review proposed study protocols to evaluate factors such as sample collection processes, data management plans, or potential subject risks.

decision support — Risk analysis aids; accountability-bearing judgment human

Collaborate with investigators to prepare presentations or reports of clinical study procedures, results, and conclusions.

interpersonal — Stakeholder operational coordination is relationship work

Track enrollment status of subjects and document dropout information such as dropout causes and subject contact efforts.

data analysis — Maintain operational records in structured systems

Code, evaluate, or interpret collected study data.

data analysis — Coding data automatable with human review

Direct the requisition, collection, labeling, storage, or shipment of specimens.

decision support — AI plans projects; human owns execution and stakeholders

Instruct research staff in scientific and procedural aspects of studies including standards of care, informed consent procedures, or documentation procedures.

interpersonal — Program design aided, delivery and engagement are human

Maintain contact with sponsors to schedule and coordinate site visits or to answer questions about issues such as incomplete data.

interpersonal — Stakeholder operational coordination is relationship work

Prepare for or participate in quality assurance audits conducted by study sponsors, federal agencies, or specially designated review groups.

decision support — Audit fieldwork and attestation remain human-owned

Order drugs or devices necessary for study completion.

decision support — Procurement drafting and comparison; human commits funds

Contact outside health care providers and communicate with subjects to obtain follow-up information.

text generation — Information exchange coordination largely automatable

Participate in the development of study protocols including guidelines for administration or data collection procedures.

decision support — AI proposes procedures; human validates fit

Confer with health care professionals to determine the best recruitment practices for studies.

interpersonal — Coordinating work through live human interaction

Communicate with laboratories or investigators regarding laboratory findings.

text generation — Information exchange coordination largely automatable

Review scientific literature, participate in continuing education activities, or attend conferences and seminars to maintain current knowledge of clinical studies affairs and issues.

information retrieval — AI summarizes developments; human retains expertise

Organize space for study equipment and supplies.

decision support — Layout planning aided; human owns design

Develop advertising and other informational materials to be used in subject recruitment.

text generation — Promotional copy and graphics largely AI; human approves

Dispense medical devices or drugs, and calculate dosages and provide instructions as necessary.

data analysis — Routine medical calculations; human checks inputs

Arrange for research study sites and determine staff or equipment availability.

data analysis — AI arranges schedules; human manages real-world changes

Interpret protocols and advise treating physicians on appropriate dosage modifications or treatment calculations based on patient characteristics.

decision support — Technical advice needs product-specific human judgment

Contact industry representatives to ensure equipment and software specifications necessary for successful study completion.

interpersonal — Stakeholder operational coordination is relationship work

Register protocol patients with appropriate statistical centers as required.

text generation — Clerical medical paperwork aided; compliance review human

Solicit industry-sponsored trials through contacts and professional organizations.

text generation — Promotional materials drafted; human executes outreach

Participate in preparation and management of research budgets and monetary disbursements.

decision support — AI tracks and models budgets; human owns allocation decisions