Will AI replace Clinical Research Coordinators?
AI can do 73% of the work Clinical Research Coordinators do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 1 of their 33 tasks, while 22 more are ready but barely used so far. Robots can technically handle 3 physical tasks. 7 still need a person.
AI is already doing this1 · 2% of time
People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.
- Code, evaluate, or interpret collected study data.Mostly automated2% of time
AI could do this next22 · 70% of time
AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.
- Maintain required records of study activity including case report forms, drug dispensation records, or regulatory forms.11% of time
- Prepare study-related documentation, such as protocol worksheets, procedural manuals, adverse event reports, institutional review board documents, or progress reports.9% of time
- Assess eligibility of potential subjects through methods such as screening interviews, reviews of medical records, or discussions with physicians and nurses.6% of time
- Oversee subject enrollment to ensure that informed consent is properly obtained and documented.5% of time
- Maintain contact with sponsors to schedule and coordinate site visits or to answer questions about issues such as incomplete data.5% of time
- Schedule subjects for appointments, procedures, or inpatient stays as required by study protocols.5% of time
- Record adverse event and side effect data and confer with investigators regarding the reporting of events to oversight agencies.4% of time
- Inform patients or caregivers about study aspects and outcomes to be expected.4% of time
- Track enrollment status of subjects and document dropout information such as dropout causes and subject contact efforts.2% of time
- Review proposed study protocols to evaluate factors such as sample collection processes, data management plans, or potential subject risks.2% of time
- Instruct research staff in scientific and procedural aspects of studies including standards of care, informed consent procedures, or documentation procedures.2% of time
- Communicate with laboratories or investigators regarding laboratory findings.2% of time
- Review scientific literature, participate in continuing education activities, or attend conferences and seminars to maintain current knowledge of clinical studies affairs and issues.1% of time
- Participate in preparation and management of research budgets and monetary disbursements.1% of time
- Interpret protocols and advise treating physicians on appropriate dosage modifications or treatment calculations based on patient characteristics.1% of time
- Develop advertising and other informational materials to be used in subject recruitment.1% of time
- Confer with health care professionals to determine the best recruitment practices for studies.1% of time
- Participate in the development of study protocols including guidelines for administration or data collection procedures.1% of time
- Contact outside health care providers and communicate with subjects to obtain follow-up information.1% of time
- Collaborate with investigators to prepare presentations or reports of clinical study procedures, results, and conclusions.1% of time
- Arrange for research study sites and determine staff or equipment availability.1% of time
- Contact industry representatives to ensure equipment and software specifications necessary for successful study completion.under 1% of time
Robots can technically do this3 · 6% of time
Physical tasks that today's robots can perform in at least some settings. Robots are cost competitive for very few tasks so far, so this change moves slower.
- Direct the requisition, collection, labeling, storage, or shipment of specimens.Robots: purpose built settings4% of time
- Organize space for study equipment and supplies.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
- Dispense medical devices or drugs, and calculate dosages and provide instructions as necessary.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
Still needs a person7 · 21% of time
No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.
- Perform specific protocol procedures such as interviewing subjects, taking vital signs, and performing electrocardiograms.9% of time
- Monitor study activities to ensure compliance with protocols and with all relevant local, federal, and state regulatory and institutional polices.5% of time
- Prepare for or participate in quality assurance audits conducted by study sponsors, federal agencies, or specially designated review groups.2% of time
- Identify protocol problems, inform investigators of problems, or assist in problem resolution efforts, such as protocol revisions.2% of time
- Register protocol patients with appropriate statistical centers as required.1% of time
- Order drugs or devices necessary for study completion.1% of time
- Solicit industry-sponsored trials through contacts and professional organizations.under 1% of time
Your week is not the average
Describe what you actually do and get a personal report: your own tasks, what AI can already do, what stays yours and a 90 day plan.
What this means
AI can do most of this work faster, but a real part of the job still needs a person. Real use is still behind at 2 out of 100, so the change here is only getting started. The people who learn which tasks to hand off will pull ahead.
What to do next
- Do the 1 task AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
- Get ahead on the 22 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
- Keep an eye on the 3 physical tasks robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
- Build on the 7 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
Related jobs
Get the weekly brief
One short email a week on how AI is changing work, including jobs like this one.