ICT Ep 2.20: What Monty Python Can Teach Us About Clinical Trials

Clinical trials don’t become complex overnight, they get there one added process at a time.

In this episode, Ted and Liam break down why the industry is so effective at adding new layers, but rarely takes the time to remove what’s no longer needed. Whether it’s protocols, systems, or workflows, each addition is often made with good intent, but the cumulative effect can be significant.

They explore how this impacts sites in particular, increasing workload, creating friction, and ultimately making studies harder to execute. The discussion also highlights how relying on historical processes and “what’s worked before” can prevent teams from adapting to today’s reality.

Most importantly, they challenge listeners to rethink how processes are designed, not just by optimising what exists, but by asking whether it should exist at all.

A practical and thought-provoking conversation on reducing complexity and improving trial execution.