Keep your balance! ClinOps Dag 2026 recap

TL;DR

About the event
ClinOps Dag 2026 brought together professionals from across the Dutch clinical research field to share knowledge and discuss the topics shaping research today.
15-year celebration
This year marked the 15th edition of ClinOps Dag, underlining its role as an established and valued event within the clinical operations community.
Why we care
For ictaro, attending is about more than visibility or networking. It is about staying close to the conversations that influence how clinical research can be made better, more patient-focused and more effective.
Keep your balance
The day’s theme focused on energy, balance and sustainable performance, with Jochem Uytdehaage highlighting the importance of knowing when to recharge.
Insight 1: Sex differences in clinical research
A session on female participation in clinical studies showed that the reality is often more nuanced than assumed, with prevalence and practical barriers both shaping representation.
Insight 2: The patient perspective
Speakers stressed the need for clearer participant information, more careful recruitment practices and better sharing of study results with participants and families.

Keep your balance. And stay charged.

That was the central theme of this year’s edition, and it set the tone from the very start. Together with host Jochem Uytdehaage, we kicked off the day with a breathing exercise. A simple moment, but a meaningful one.

Because “keep your balance” is not just a slogan. It is a reminder to ask yourself a simple question: how full is your battery? And more importantly, what are you doing to keep it charged?

Jochem’s story made that tangible. As a double Olympic gold medallist who once came close to burnout, he showed that sustained performance starts with awareness. Not just in sport, but in life and in clinical research.

For ictaro, being part of ClinOps Dag is not just about staying informed or expanding our network. It is about being present in the conversations that shape the future of clinical research. As a CRO, our work depends on strong partnerships, adaptability, and a clear focus on the patient.

A more nuanced view on sex differences in clinical research

The session by Sieta de Vries and Patrick Vrijlandt offered a perspective that goes beyond the common narrative.

While it is often stated that women are underrepresented in clinical trials, the reality is more complex. Many studies already include a substantial number of female participants. In some cases, such as heart failure research, prevalence plays a key role in shaping participant balance.

At the same time, barriers to participation remain. Understanding these barriers is essential for improving inclusivity in a meaningful way.

For us as a cardiovascular-focused CRO, this is directly relevant. It influences how we approach trial design, how we think about representation, and how we ensure that study outcomes reflect real-world populations.

Rethinking the patient perspective

The session led by Filip de Vos and Hans van Delden was a moment where the room fell quiet.

It highlighted a fundamental issue. Participant Information Forms are often too long, too complex, and too focused on the study itself. What matters more is clarity about the impact on the patient. What does participation actually mean for them?

Another important point was the separation between treatment and recruitment. When the treating physician is also responsible for including patients in a study, it can create unintended pressure. Patients should never feel that their decision to participate, or not, will affect their care.

And when a study ends, communication should not stop. Sharing results with participants and their families is not an optional extra. It is part of responsible research.

These are not abstract ideas. They are principles that translate directly into how we operate in every trial we support.

About ClinOps Dag 2026

The ClinOps Dag 2026 marked its 15th edition this year. Over the past decade and a half, it has grown into a key event for professionals in clinical research across the Netherlands.

Organised as a platform for knowledge sharing and discussion, ClinOps Dag brings together experts from across the field. From trial design and operations to ethics and patient engagement, the event reflects the topics that truly shape how clinical research is carried out today.

For ictaro, attending is about more than staying up to date. It is about being part of the ongoing dialogue on how clinical research can and should evolve.

Learn more about this event on the NVFG website: https://www.nvfg.nl/clinopsdag-2026/

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Keep your balance! ClinOps Day 2026 recap

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