Why Many Physicians Stop After Their First Clinical Trial And How PRG Is Changing the Story
PRG helps physicians overcome the challenges of first-time clinical trials, building lasting success in research from day one.
For many physicians, the prospect of participating in a clinical trial is exciting. It offers a rare opportunity to be part of medical breakthroughs, expand professional expertise, and provide patients with access to cutting-edge therapies that are not yet available on the market. On paper, it seems like a win-win, the physician advances science, patients benefit from innovative treatments, and the practice gains a new revenue stream.
Yet, despite the potential benefits, a surprising number of physicians choose not to participate in a second trial after their first experience. The reasons vary, but the underlying theme is often the same: they were not set up for success from the start. Instead of being an inspiring introduction to research, the experience becomes overwhelming, time-consuming, and at times, discouraging.
Why First-Time Investigators Often Walk Away
For a physician new to research, the learning curve can be steep. Clinical trials are highly regulated, complex operations that require meticulous attention to detail, compliance with numerous agencies, and coordination between multiple stakeholders sponsors, CROs, site staff, and patients. Without proper training and support, physicians can quickly feel like they’ve taken on another full-time job.
Some of the most common reasons physicians decide not to continue after their first trial include:
Unrealistic enrollment expectations: Without accurate projections and a tailored recruitment plan, many sites struggle to find enough qualified patients. Missing enrollment targets can lead to frustration and a loss of confidence.
Lack of infrastructure: Many private practices don’t have the research coordinators, regulatory specialists, or data management staff needed to handle the operational demands of a trial.
Administrative overload: From completing source documents to responding to sponsor queries, the paperwork and follow-up can quickly overwhelm a practice.
Financial uncertainty: Without clear budgeting and payment tracking, some physicians find research less profitable than expected. Delayed sponsor payments or underestimated costs can sour the experience.
Insufficient training: Many new investigators are eager but inexperienced in navigating the strict protocols, regulatory requirements, and operational nuances of clinical research.
When these issues go unaddressed, the result is predictable: the first trial becomes the last. This not only limits the physician’s opportunities but also reduces the number of experienced sites available for future studies, a loss for the entire research community.
How PRG Changes the Outcome for New Investigators
At Physicians Research Group (PRG), we believe no physician should walk away from research simply because they lacked the right support. Our mission is to turn first-time investigators into long-term research partners by ensuring they are set up for success from the very beginning.
From the moment we engage with a physician, we take a proactive approach. Our team conducts a thorough site assessment to understand the physician’s patient population, clinical expertise, and operational capacity. We then match them with studies that are realistic, relevant to their specialty, and well-suited to their practice environment. This eliminates the frustration of chasing trials that were never a good fit.
We also provide hands-on onboarding that goes beyond the basics. Physicians and their staff receive training on protocol compliance, Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines, regulatory submissions, and patient engagement strategies. We work closely with them to develop a recruitment plan that aligns with their patient demographics, using PRG’s centralized recruitment team and marketing resources to drive enrollment.
Operational and Financial Support That Makes the Difference
PRG’s centralized oversight model allows physicians to focus on patient care while we handle the complex, time-consuming aspects of research. This includes:
Regulatory management — handling IRB submissions, renewals, and document updates.
Dedicated research coordinators — experienced staff embedded into the site’s workflow.
Patient recruitment support — marketing campaigns, pre-screening, and outreach.
Sponsor relations — direct communication and issue resolution with study sponsors and CROs.
Financial transparency — clear budgets, milestone tracking, and payment follow-up so there are no surprises.
Because we manage these critical components, physicians avoid the burnout that often comes with running a trial alone. Our oversight ensures every study is conducted efficiently, compliantly, and with the best chance for success — increasing the likelihood of repeat participation.
A Partnership Built for the Long Term
Our goal is not to help a physician run just one trial, it’s to build a sustainable research program that can grow year after year. PRG measures success not simply by study initiation, but by performance, enrollment, and the physician’s readiness for future opportunities. By fostering trust, providing continuous support, and removing operational barriers, we turn “first-time” investigators into confident, experienced research leaders.
When physicians succeed in clinical research, patients gain greater access to innovative treatments, sponsors have more high-quality sites to choose from, and the entire medical community benefits. PRG is proud to be a catalyst for that success, ensuring that the first trial is only the beginning of a rewarding, long-term journey in research.