Pearls and pitfalls for principal investigators

Editor’s Note: Welcome to “Eye Catching: Let's Chat,” a blog series featuring contributions from members of the ophthalmic community. These blogs are an opportunity for ophthalmic bloggers to engage with readers with about a topic that is top of mind, whether it is practice management, experiences with patients, the industry, medicine in general, or healthcare reform. The series continues with this blog by Mark Packer, MD, FACS, CPI. The views expressed in these blogs are those of their respective contributors and do not represent the views of Ophthalmology Times or UBM Medica.

In his latest blog, Mark Packer, MD, FACS, CPI, shares the rewards of becoming a principal investigator (PI) in clinical research, as well as the common mistakes to avoid. There are many reasons an ophthalmologist might want to be involved in clinical research as a PI: 

• Being on the cutting edge of innovation is exciting.

• Clinical research raises the profile of the practice and the PI. 

• Involvement in scientific advancements means contributing to the improvement of patient care and outcomes. 

• If managed correctly, clinical research can be a lucrative adjunct to clinical practice. 

• Your patients will receive the latest innovations long before they are available to the general public (while, of course, taking some additional risks).

Over the course of many years’ involvement in clinical research as a PI, medical monitor and subject matter expert, I have observed some PIs who outperform their peers and others who create problems for their sponsors. I’d like to share a few of the practices that make a PI successful.

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