What does "monitoring" involve in the context of clinical trials?

Monitoring in the context of clinical trials primarily involves regular reviews of trial data and the conduct of the trial. This process is crucial to ensure that the trial adheres to the predefined protocol and complies with all relevant regulations and good clinical practice (GCP) guidelines.

Effective monitoring helps to identify any deviations from the protocol or regulatory requirements early on, ensuring that those issues can be addressed promptly. This process typically involves evaluating the integrity of the data being collected, verifying that the study is being conducted as planned, and safeguarding the rights and welfare of the trial participants.

The other options, while relevant to various aspects of clinical research, do not specifically describe the monitoring process. Financial audits are focused more on budget management rather than data integrity; training sessions are important for preparing staff but do not constitute monitoring; and participant feedback evaluations, although valuable for assessing the study from the participants' perspective, do not pertain directly to the ongoing oversight of trial compliance.