Evaluation of a site selection questionnaire for the recruitment of trial sites into multi-centre trials: experiences from the nottingham clinical trials unit

Background Careful site selection methods and tools such as questionnaires have evolved to become “best” practice in the commercial and non-commercial clinical trials setting. However, there is little evidence in the literature of the value of such methodology on trial delivery and there is no generally acceptable model or tool available for use in site selection. The Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit introduced a site selection questionnaire in 2010, consisting of both generic research related questions and study specific protocol driven requirements for identification of potential sites in four multi-centre trials. Initially questionnaires were sent to Principal Investigators at sites who had expressed an interest in participating in the trials.