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Career Progression in Clinical Research: Transitioning from a Clinical Research Coordinator to a Monitoring Clinical Research Associate (CRA)

Thomas Boothby, MS, CCRP CRA II, Boston Scientific

Abstract: Research coordinators may transition to clinical research associates/monitors during their careers. This article provides an overview of how to determine whether it is the right time to make this transition, how to evaluate current competencies and gaps that must be filled in order to make this transition, and how to address needs during the on-boarding process. A roadmap in the form of a checklist is provided to help make the transition from research coordinator to clinical research associate (CRA) a smooth one.

Disclosure: The author has a relevant financial relationship with respect to this article with Boston Scientific, where he is employed as a monitoring CRA.

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Understanding Research Wrongdoing: Lessons from the Professionalism & Integrity in Research Program and the Bioethics Research Center

James M. DuBois, DSC, PhD, Director, PI Program and Bioethics Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine

Abstract: Many factors increase the risk of research integrity violations or serious non-compliance. This article explores these factors, highlighting wrongdoing and “right-doing” in research, using data from the first 68 participants in the Professionalism & Integrity in Research Program and the Bioethics Research Center at Washington University School of Medicine. The Professionalism & Integrity in Research Program serves investigators following professional lapses. The Bioethics Research Center studies the factors that contribute to violations of research integrity and also to exemplary research. The implications of these findings for remediation and prevention of research integrity violations are described.

Disclosures: The author has no financial conflicts of interest. He is the director of the Professionalism & Integrity in Research Program. Projects described in this article were funded by NIH CTSA, R01, K01, R21, ORI RRI Program, and CITI sponsorship from 2014-2016.

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Partnering with Patients to Accelerate Cancer Research: Count Me In

Sara Balch, BS, Project Manager, Count Me In and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard

Abstract: Count Me In is a research initiative whose aim is to engage patients living with all major cancer types, as well as those with rare cancers. Along with this goal, Count Me In hopes to bring about a cultural shift that empowers patients, researchers, and clinicians to work in partnership and accelerate medical progress by allowing researchers to work directly with patients and advocacy groups along with software engineers and computational scientists, to collect, analyze, and share de-identified data. The combined power of thousands of individual experiences will assist researchers in understanding, why patients respond differently to treatments, uncover new genetic targets for therapies, and help propel groundbreaking discoveries that transform cancer care.

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Health Disparities: Why Inclusion and Health Equity Matter in Clinical Research

Nancy A. Wintering, LCSW, CCRP

Elaine Wang, BS Thomas Jefferson University

Abstract: The content of this paper was presented at the 2018 SOCRA Annual Conference by the first author. The purpose of this paper is to discuss Health Disparities in the context of clinical research. Inclusive conduct of clinical research can reduce bias and improve outcomes to benefit society as a whole. This article describes the historical, social, and cultural indicators and consequences of inequality in health care and research. Strategies to reduce disparities to promote ethical inclusive practices in research are provided.

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Pediatric Recruitment: What Works and What Does Not Work

Muhammad Waseem, MD, MS, CCRP, CIP, CHSE-A

Abstract: While research involving pediatric patients may be challenging, the rewards can be significant. This article describes challenges in pediatric recruitment and how enrollment in pediatric research is unique versus research involving adult patients. Highlighted are effective approaches for engaging children and their parents and techniques to improve recruitment and adherence and to help reduce dropout rates. Researchers should always put the interests and safety of the participants and their families first and comply with appropriate research guidelines and study protocol.

Disclosure: The author does not have any financial disclosures or conflicts of interest to declare.

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Managing Clinical Research Revenue Cycle to Improve the Bottom Line by Understanding Financial Strategies and Budget Negotiations

Sachit Verma, MD, MBA, FAPCR, CRCP
Director, Research Revenue and Billing Office of Research at Inova Health System

Abstract: Optimizing financial performance in the clinical research revenue cycle processes is important. This article outlines key steps in the clinical research revenue cycle and describes drivers of budget negotiations and the research billing continuum related to financial performance. Strategies and processes to enhance billing compliance to mitigate billing errors are highlighted.

Disclosures: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the speaker individually and do not reflect the policies or position of the speaker’s employer. The following information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.

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Operationalizing the Serious Adverse Event (SAE) Process at Clinical Research Sites

Operationalizing Serious Adverse Event Process

Tracy Popp, MBA
Previously: Director, Research Financial Operations Norton Healthcare, Inc.
Currently: Senior Director of Clinical Research, Tampa General Hospital

Abstract: It is important for clinical research sites to operationalize the serious adverse event (SAE) process beyond regulatory and clinical. Norton Healthcare, Inc. has developed policies and a workflow for operationalizing SAEs, including clinical, legal, billing, accounting, and budgeting capture. This article provides an overview of the way in which Norton Healthcare has done this as well as how other sites can also operationalize SAEs.

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Conducting Clinical Trials in Canada Inspections of Clinical Investigators

Mike M. Rashti President, BIMO Auditor and Trainer, LLC

Abstract: This article provides an overview of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) foreign inspection program and the Bioresearch Monitoring Program as it is applied to inspections in Canada. How to prepare for an inspection and differences between inspections of clinical research sites in the United States and Canada are discussed. Protocol violations observed at Canadian sites that have been documented by FDA Form 483s (Inspectional Findings) and Warning Letters are noted in this article.

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Clinical Trials Day 2021: A Time for Celebration and Reflection

May 20^th marks Clinical Trials Day (CTD), an international commemoration of James Lind’s launch of the scurvy clinical trial on May 20, 1747, which would form the foundation for modern clinical research. Celebrated for the first time in 2005, CTD raises clinical trial awareness and honors clinical research professionals across the globe. In celebration of this distinguished occasion, we’ve continued our three-year tradition of inviting SOCRA Members to nominate each other for their outstanding work and contributions to public health, medical advancement, and improved health outcomes. We caught up with our first 2021 nominee to uncover her thoughts and insights on the significance of CTD and the clinical research industry as a whole.

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Tools and Techniques for Effective Clinical Research Start-up at an Academic Medical Center

Michael Mapel, CCRP
Clinical Research Lead
UCLA Pediatrics Office of Finance & Research Children’s Discovery & Innovation Institute¹

Abstract: Activating a clinical research project at an academic medical center requires significant planning and effort from study teams. Research sponsors often have difficulty understanding any process lacking in consistency and transparency and so start-up becomes a barrier to study enrollment. This article breaks down such barriers by advocating specific project management and communication tools and techniques that accelerate the study start-up process without sacrificing quality.

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