From Site Selection to First Patient: How CRAs and SSU Teams Can Work Better Together

Study start-up and clinical monitoring are two sides of the same coin — yet the handover between SSU teams and CRAs remains one of the most common sources of friction, delay, and miscommunication in trial delivery. In this session, Laura Van Vaeck goes behind the scenes of the study start-up process to give CRAs a rare inside view of what SSU teams actually do, what they need from monitors, and where collaboration most often breaks down. Drawing on her hands-on experience leading regulatory and start-up operations, Laura will share practical insights on how both roles can align earlier, communicate more effectively, and set each other up for success — from site selection all the way through to first patient in.