Real-Life Communication -- Solution
Here's what you could write:
If the trial is extended to include double the patients, the cost factor will most likely double. There are a few reasons for this:
- More of the drug will be required to test more patients. That means the hospital will pay more money for more drug dosages, and this hasn't been worked into the budget.
- Because there will be more patients in the trial, Dr. Jamison will be required to put in more hours to administer the drug. That means the labor cost of the clinical trial will increase.
- More patients mean more blood tests, more checkups, more bed space and more paperwork. That means increased cost, none of which was budgeted into the original trial.
- More patients also means more nurses will be required to complete patient follow-up. Again, this is an additional cost that the hospital had not budgeted for.
The hospital will probably not approve the increased costs associated with expanding the clinical trial. This will further delay the contract approval and ultimately the beginning of the trial.
This situation is not common, but it can happen, says Kathy Dunstan. She is a contracts coordinator for a hospital. "Potentially, there could be an issue with every contract," says Dunstan. "Even when there's only one party involved, there can be problems. There's always the potential that you're going to lock horns."
She says it would normally be up to her to try and convince the doctor what her concerns are with the contract. She spends a lot of time communicating with the doctors, but also with the drug companies, hospital administration and various lawyers.
"Communicating with others makes up a large part of my day," says Dunstan.