Big Paper Wins Again? Sites, eSource, & the Standardization Problem

Clinical research is out here discovering cutting‑edge therapies… and still arguing about paper vs. electronic systems. Make it make sense.

In this episode of Note to File, Denali and Brad get real about why so many sites are still on paper in 2026, what tech vendors get wrong, and why standardization across sponsors, sites, and systems feels like a fantasy.

We cover:

-Why small and mid‑size sites often don't benefit from going fully electronic
-The hidden costs and risk that eSource, eConsent, and CTMS can create for sites
-Continuous remote monitoring vs. old‑school, 2‑day on‑site visits
-How misaligned incentives between sites, sponsors, and vendors keep us stuck
-What other regulated industries (airlines, banking) figured out that we haven't
-Whether standardization needs to be driven by regulators, foundations, or "big players"
-And, yes, why "Big Paper" might secretly still be winning

We also warm things up with:

-National Documentary Day, Eggs Benedict Day, and Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day
-True crime and must‑watch documentary recommendations
-Tax day, LinkedIn humblebrags, and layoffs in the research world

If you work at a site, sponsor, CRO, or tech vendor, this one will probably hurt a little… in a good way.