Research on Research

Evidence-based Improvements to Clinical Research Infrastructure

The Research on Research (RoR) initiative funds SCTO Network projects that strengthen Switzerland’s clinical research infrastructure and promote evidence-based improvements.

At the SCTO, we continuously invest in advancing clinical research in Switzerland. Through our Research on Research (RoR) initiative, we aim to improve the quality of clinical research, its efficiency and its impact through:

Critically review current practices
Identify pressing challenges
Develop evidence-based solutions

A dedicated budget supports RoR projects within the SCTO Network. Topics are aligned with the White Paper on Clinical Research. Approved projects must:

Involve collaboration between CRCs
Undergo internal and external scientific review
Be led by CRC-affiliated teams

Our goals:

Continuously improve research practices and infrastructure
Promote evidence-based innovations in study design and conduct
Strengthen collaboration and harmonisation within the SCTO Network
Advance Switzerland’s role in high-quality clinical research

Governance & Organisation

The Swiss Clinical Trials Empirical Assessment & Methods (STEAM) Scientific Committee (est. 2024) includes representatives from all 7 SCTO CRCs and provides strategic guidance, evaluates RoR projects, and advances clinical research methodology
STEAM Coordinator: Supports project teams and scientific committee (rotating role, 4-year term)
SCTO Liaison Officer: Ensures alignment with the Executive Office and contributes to strategic implementations
STEAM Working Group: Includes CRC staff, Platform members, and external researchers to share updates, foster knowledge exchange and discuss ongoing and future RoR activities

Project review process:

Eligibility checked by the coordinator
External peer review (scientific excellence, methodology and feasibility)
Internal evaluation by the STEAM scientific committee (relevance and impact for Switzerland)

Call for Project

Annual SCTO Network internal call with a defined budget
CHF 350,000/year that covers:
- STEAM coordination
- Scientific committee
- Project team hours for the selected RoR projects
- Funds distributed via CRC of the SCTO Network, aligned with SCTO instalments

Potential Topics (White Paper aligned):

Patient involvement and public engagement
Key performance monitoring of trials
Integrating clinical research with clinical care
Improving clinical research methods
Supporting translational and innovative research teams
Reducing complexity in regulatory/data processes
Attracting researchers at all career levels

Open Call for Projects

2nd Call for Research on Research (RoR) Projects
8 projects were submitted and are under review. The decision will be announced by the end of the year, and the projects will start in January 2026.

For questions, please contact us by email: ror@scto.ch

Here is a short overview of the ongoing Research on Research Platform projects for 2025 and their main objectives.
We invite you to contact us at ror@scto.ch if you would like to learn more.

Improving Reproducibility in Clinical Research

Project ID: RoR2025_003
Lead: Laura Werlen, DKF Basel
Contributors: CTC Zürich, CRC Geneva, CRC Lausanne, DCR Bern, DKF Basel, CTU-EOC Lugano, CTU HOCH St.Gallen

Description:
This project aims to improve the reproducibility of statistical analyses in Swiss academic clinical research. A nationwide survey will identify current practices and barriers, leading to targeted measures that promote reproducible methods and strengthen research quality.

Key Objectives:

Assess the current state of reproducible research in Switzerland
Identify specific barriers within today’s academic clinical research landscape
Develop and share targeted strategies to improve reproducibility

Methods:
Survey-based mixed-methods study involving researchers across all career stages and disciplines.

Contribute now:
Clinical researchers and scientific staff across Switzerland, share your experience in our 10-minute anonymous online survey and help shape concrete solutions to strengthen the reliability, transparency, and credibility of clinical research nationwide.

General Consent: Cross-Perspectives of Key Stakeholders

Lead: Cindy Allenbach, CRC Lausanne, CHUV
Contributors: CTC Zürich, CRC Geneva, CRC Lausanne, DKF Basel, CTU-EOC Lugano, CTU HOCH St.Gallen, DCR Bern, UKBB, KisPi

Description:
This project investigates how General Consent (GC) is implemented in Swiss hospitals, identifying key challenges, differences, and opportunities for improvement.

Key Objectives:

Analyse General Consent practices and gather stakeholder feedback
Document regional and cultural differences in General Consent implementation
Define KPIs for performance comparison across hospitals

Methods:
Mixed-method approach combining surveys and focus group discussions.

Contribute now:
Participate in the anonymous online survey about General Consent to share your opinions and perspectives.

Patient and Public Involvement Support Activities

Project ID: RoR2025_009
Lead: Nadia Elia and Mael Barthoulot, CRC Geneva
Contributors: CTC Zürich, CRC Geneva, CRC Lausanne, DCR Bern, DKF Basel, CTU-EOC Lugano, CTU HOCH St.Gallen

Description:
The Swiss-CRC-PPI project explores how CRCs support Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE), including researcher needs and opportunities for improvement.

Key Objectives:

Map CRC practices: Identify existing PPIE support models and gaps
Align with researcher needs: Understand expectations and satisfaction
Measure impact: Evaluate how PPIE contributes to research quality
Develop national guidelines: Support high-quality, consistent PPIE across CRCs

Methods:
Mixed-method study.

Barriers to Implementing and Conducting Clinical Trials in Switzerland

Project ID: RoR2025_010
Lead: Erin West, CTU HOCH St.Gallen
Contributors: CTC Zürich, CRC Lausanne, DKF Basel, CTU-EOC Lugano, CTU HOCH St.Gallen, CRC Geneva

Description:
This prospective cohort study surveys hospital physicians to identify the non-financial barriers contributing to the decline of academically sponsored trials in Switzerland.

Key Objectives:

Identify key regulatory and administrative hurdles
Categorize physicians by research activity level (active, past, inactive)
Evaluate how CRC support and training could enhance trial participation

Methods:
Mixed-methods approach (focus groups and surveys).

Risk-Based Study Management

Project ID: RoR2025_014
Lead: Dörthe Hansen, DKF Basel
Contributors: CTC Zürich, CRC Geneva, CRC Lausanne, DCR Bern, DKF Basel, CTU-EOC Lugano, CTU HOCH St.Gallen

Description:
This project seeks to develop a national risk-based trial management tool tailored to the SCTO Network, encouraging collaboration and improving trial quality.

Key Objectives:

Create a Swiss-specific risk-based management tool
Support multicentre trial collaboration
Enable learning from risk monitoring to inform future study planning

Methods:
Mixed-methods approach.

Meet the RoR Organisation Team

Meet the individuals supporting the governance and organisational aspects of Research on Research (RoR). Their expertise and collaboration ensure that RoR projects are conducted smoothly, collaboratively, and with scientific rigour, contributing to the continuous improvement of clinical research in Switzerland based on scientific evidence.

Scientific Committee

Matthias Briel – Member Lead, DKF Basel
Maël Barthoulot – Member, CRC Geneva
Jean-Marc Hoffmann – Member, CTC Zürich
Mariarosa Pascale – Member, CTU-EOC Lugano
Daniëlle Verschoor – Member, DCR Bern
Erin West – Member, CTU HOCH St.Gallen
Grégoire Wuerzner – Member, CRC Lausanne