Q&A: How to get started as a clinical investigator

Q: I'm interested in opening a side business as a clinical investigator. Do you have any suggestions on how I can get connected with the organizations that manage clinical trials or make my practice look more attractive to them?

A: The best place to start is http://www.CenterWatch.com, which publishes a monthly newsletter that lists trials that are seeking investigators. You can subscribe to this newsletter for an annual fee. You can also list your company on the site in an online catalog of clinical investigators, but that, too, will cost you. Another worthwhile site is http://www.FirstClinical.com, a clinical research best practices journal. The site often lists clinical research conferences, which can be good for forging relationships in the industry. In pitching yourself to these companies, talk up any research you did in medical school or any papers you've had published. To learn more about getting started with clinical trials, go to http://www.memag.com/clinicaltrials.