Eva Isaksson

I am a medical doctor (MD), PhD, and certified research nurse with approximately 30 years of experience in clinical research and clinical trials within healthcare. Over the past 15 years, I have primarily worked with the planning, coordination, and management of academic multicentre studies in stroke in Sweden. I also have experience as a clinical trial monitor. I obtained my PhD from Karolinska Institutet in 2021.

My research is primarily focused on the conduct of randomised controlled clinical trials, with particular emphasis on patient recruitment, recruitment processes, and factors influencing the ability of patients and study staff to participate in and conduct clinical studies. Another area of research concerns information provision and decision-making prior to participation in clinical trials.

PhD Thesis

I defended my PhD thesis in March 2021, entitled Recruitment to multicentre randomised controlled trials in stroke. Lessons learnt from the EFFECTS trial. The thesis was based on the EFFECTS trial, an academically initiated randomised controlled multicentre trial in stroke, in which I worked as Trial Manager.

A central starting point for my thesis was the observation that many randomised controlled trials face difficulties in reaching their planned recruitment targets within the specified timeframe. Inadequate recruitment may result in prolonged recruitment periods, increased costs, and reduced statistical power, and may also have ethical implications. My research has therefore focused on identifying barriers to patient recruitment and on developing and evaluating strategies to improve recruitment in multicentre trials.

Research Projects

As part of my research, I have conducted several sub-studies using different methodological approaches.

1. Study of study staff perceptions of recruitment barriers

2. Intervention to improve patient recruitment

3. Validation of the modified Rankin Scale

Future Research

My ongoing research has evolved from a primary focus on patient recruitment in clinical trials towards a broader perspective on how clinical studies are planned, conducted, and communicated to patients and study staff.

My clinical experience as a research nurse, monitor, and Trial Manager in academic multicentre studies provides an important foundation for my research. The combination of practical experience in the conduct of clinical studies and my own research enables me to identify clinically relevant research questions and investigate them using scientific methods.

I currently work as a Research Coordinator within the Department of Neurology at Danderyd Hospital and also have overall responsibility for the support function at the Clinical Research Centre (KFC). Through these roles, I remain closely involved in clinical research and the practical implementation of clinical studies. My work includes developing structures and processes that support researchers and clinical teams throughout the study lifecycle, from planning and initiation to study conduct and completion.

Academic Qualifications

PhD, 2021
Karolinska Institutet

Thesis: Recruitment to multicentre randomised controlled trials in stroke. Lessons learnt from the EFFECTS trial.

Diploma in Clinical Trials / Certified Research Nurse, 2009
Utbildningsrådet