ACT-CTU Clinical Trial Rounds - Dr. Isabelle Fortier and Rita Wissa

ACT-CTU Clinical Trial Rounds - Dr. Isabelle Fortier and Rita Wissa

🎙 Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation - Research Institute McGill University Health Centre 👥 382 📅 September 30, 2025 ⏱ 57 min 👁 40 📄 expert opinion 🧭 2026-08-16
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

data managementclinical trialsdata qualityquestionnaire designdata harmonization

Summary

This presentation by Dr. Isabelle Fortier and Rita Wissa from Maelstrom Research focuses on optimizing data quality in clinical trials. They emphasize the importance of proper data management planning, from grant writing to data collection and analysis. Key points include the need for findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR) data, the dangers of changing questionnaires mid-study, and the importance of piloting and validation. They provide real-world examples of data inconsistencies, such as mismatched responses and formatting issues, and stress the need for rigorous documentation and versioning. The speakers also highlight the role of cross-checks and the importance of a multidisciplinary team in ensuring data quality. The talk concludes with practical advice on data releases and the necessity of traceability for research reproducibility.

122 words

Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The value of the information is high, as it provides practical, actionable advice based on extensive experience in managing clinical trial data. The speakers illustrate common pitfalls with concrete examples, such as the change from long to short IPAQ forms, which led to incompatible data, and the issue of overlapping categories in survey questions. Their argumentation is solid, grounded in real-world cases, and they emphasize the importance of rigorous validation and documentation. The presentation is persuasive, urging researchers to invest time and resources in data management from the outset to avoid costly errors later.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The scientific rigor is evident in the speakers’ expertise and the systematic approach they advocate. They reference the FAIR principles and mention resources like the Maelstrom Research website for further guidance. However, they do not cite specific scientific literature, relying instead on anecdotal evidence from their projects. The title accurately reflects the content, which is a focused discussion on data quality in clinical trials. The presentation is well-structured, with clear examples and practical recommendations, though it lacks formal citations to external sources.

191 words

Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the content, which focuses on optimizing data quality in clinical trials, presented by the two named experts.

Quality & Reliability

8/10

The presentation is given by two experts in data management and harmonization, with extensive experience in clinical research. They provide practical, real-world examples and emphasize rigorous validation and documentation. The content aligns with established best practices in clinical data management, though it is primarily based on anecdotal experience rather than formal citations.

Key Moments

Cited Sources

  • Maelstrom Research — Mentioned as a resource for data harmonization and management tools.

Concurring Sources

  • FAIR Principles — The speakers emphasize the need for data to be findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable, aligning with the FAIR principles.

Contribution & Novelties

The presentation offers practical, real-world insights into data quality management in clinical trials, emphasizing the importance of planning, validation, and documentation. It highlights common pitfalls and provides actionable advice for researchers.

Pour aller plus loin :

75 words

Radar Profile

The radar profile shows high scores in quality and reliability, with moderate scores in quantity and technical level. This indicates a focused, expert-led presentation with practical advice, but limited in-depth technical detail and breadth of information.

Reliability 8/10