By Gemini 2.0 with iterative prompts and final editing by Tommy
Clinical Development is a complex and serious endeavor. It requires a solid team of experts covering several disciplines and functional areas. However, assembling a full-time team for each specific requirement is not always logistically or financially feasible.
Independent contract consultants offer significant advantages. Engaging consultant Safety Physicians, Therapeutic Experts, Medical Directors, or even an interim Chief Medical Officer allows organizations to limit their cost exposure. Organizations incur expenses only for hours worked, resulting in a more cost-effective method to access high-quality talent.
Engaging individual consultants can require more of a personal commitment to managing the individual contributor(s) than say tossing over the fence to a firm or CRO.
Starting with well-defined terms is essential. A contract and work order should outline expectations, including:
Scope and deliverables
Timelines
Payment terms
Once the engagement has kicked-off, regular check-ins, clear instructions, and open feedback are vital for maintaining project alignment and ensuring that all team members are informed.
It is important to recognize that consultants may not be as integrated as the full-time team. Additional efforts may be required to ensure they are included and have access to the necessary information for success.
Using consultants is a strategic decision and requires an evaluation of the cost-effectiveness in relation to the personal commitment to the collaboration. In many cases, it will be better to in-source the effort - in others it may make sense to turn it over to a CRO. When you have determined to engage independent consultants, you may need a partner to help with sourcing, screening, and a deliberate process of selection to score the perfect match with your project needs.
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