<PAGE>
Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To Covalent Group, Inc.:
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this S-3 Registration Statement of our report dated February 18,
2000 included in Covalent Group, Inc.'s Form 10-KSB for the year ended December
31, 1999 and to all references to our Firm included in this Registration
Statement.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
Philadelphia, Pa.,
August 11, 2000