Prioritizing Site Characteristics
Evaluation of the study design provides an opportune time to identify and prioritize site level characteristics.
Characteristics that mitigate barriers or off-ramps should be considered the highest priority and essential
to study success. Characteristics that facilitate implementation or participation should be considered
beneficial, but not critical to study success. In general, only two to three characteristics should be prioritized
as essential, so as not to define site characteristics too narrowly and risk inadvertently overlooking sites with
sufficient capacity.
Site Characteristics Prioritized as Essential or Beneficial
Priority
Level
Barrier or
Facilitator Example Site Characteristic
Essential Barrier Difficult-to-reach target population Site has access to the population of
interest
Essential Barrier Protocol centers on highly
specialized analysis of DaTscans Extensive site experience
implementing DaTscan imaging
assessments; or commitment
by study team to implement
standardized training on use of
DaTscans during onboarding process
Essential Barrier Highly complex protocol that
requires time-intensive procedures Access to and availability of staff
resources
Beneficial Facilitator Provision of transportation services
to and from appointments Site has existing relationship with
transportation service or has
sufficient funding for travel support
Beneficial Facilitator Min