Developing Future Clinician Scientists while Supporting a Research Infrastructure. Issue 2 (18th April 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Holsti, Maija; Adelgais, Kathleen M.; Willis, Leah; Jacobsen, Kammy; Clark, Edward B.; Byington, Carrie L.
• Is Part Of: Clinical and translational science. Volume 6:Issue 2(2013)
• Page Start: 94
• Page End: 97
• Publication Date: 2013-04-18
• Subjects: Medicine, Experimental -- Periodicals; Medical innovations -- Periodicals; 616.027
• DOI: 10.1111/cts.12044
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1752-8054

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="cts12044-sec-0010" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Supporting clinical research is a national priority. Clinician scientists are rare and clinical trials in academic medical centers (AMC) often fail to meet enrollment goals. Undergraduate students interested in biomedical careers often lack opportunities to perform clinical research.</p> </sec> <sec id="cts12044-sec-0020" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>Describe an innovative undergraduate course that supports clinical research in an AMC.</p> </sec> <sec id="cts12044-sec-0030" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>The course, Clinical Research Methods and Practice, offers undergraduate students the opportunity to learn clinical research through didactic and practical experiences. The students in turn support clinician scientists' conduct of clinical studies in an AMC. Clinician scientists receive research support and participate in mentoring sessions for students.</p> </sec> <sec id="cts12044-sec-0040" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Over seven semesters, 128 students have assisted in 21 clinical studies located in outpatient and inpatient units of two hospitals. Students identified and screened eligible patients, collected clinical data, assisted in obtaining informed consent, and transported specimens. Many of the clinician scientists have met their enrollment goals and several have been top‐enrollers in multicenter clinical trials as a result of student support.</p> </sec> <sec id="cts12044-sec-0050" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>The Clinical Research Methods and Practice class addresses barriers to clinical research in AMC. This may be a model for institutions committed to mentoring students early in their career and to developing infrastructures for clinical research. Clin Trans Sci 2013; Volume 6: 94–97</p> </sec> </abstract>