Impact of COVID-19 on Clinical Research Units (CRUs)

Few studies have explored the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has presented for Clinical Research Units (CRUs), the solutions that have been implemented, and the changes that have been made in the operational guidelines for these entities. This study sought to identify and document common prac...

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Main Authors: Maran Subramain, Jackline M. Wangui-Verry, Kimberly J. Sprenger, Alejandro P. Comellas, Patrick B. Barlow
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press 2021-01-01
Series:Journal of Clinical and Translational Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059866121008360/type/journal_article
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author Maran Subramain
Jackline M. Wangui-Verry
Kimberly J. Sprenger
Alejandro P. Comellas
Patrick B. Barlow
author_facet Maran Subramain
Jackline M. Wangui-Verry
Kimberly J. Sprenger
Alejandro P. Comellas
Patrick B. Barlow
author_sort Maran Subramain
collection DOAJ
description Few studies have explored the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has presented for Clinical Research Units (CRUs), the solutions that have been implemented, and the changes that have been made in the operational guidelines for these entities. This study sought to identify and document common practices implemented by CRUs around the United States of America (USA) when addressing the unique challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This descriptive study utilized a non-experimental mixed-methods approach and gathered data from representatives of 43 CRUs across the USA. An online survey was followed by in-depth interviews. The findings show that challenges faced from the COVID-19 pandemic, changes made to daily operations, and lessons learned are very similar across CRUs. Although most CRUs never stopped performing essential clinical research, many adapted to the pandemic by engaging in virtual visits, and many played key roles in administering and supporting both COVID-19 therapeutic and vaccine trials. Follow-up interviews showed that processes for formal approval and reopening were similar across CRUs. In addition to highlighting the significance of the role played by CRUs during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study addresses the relevance of CRUs and lays the groundwork for future conversations on the importance of these units.
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spelling doaj.art-dd34c43dc1724c58a13576f13f7a85842023-03-09T12:31:03ZengCambridge University PressJournal of Clinical and Translational Science2059-86612021-01-01510.1017/cts.2021.836Impact of COVID-19 on Clinical Research Units (CRUs)Maran Subramain0Jackline M. Wangui-Verry1Kimberly J. Sprenger2Alejandro P. Comellas3Patrick B. Barlow4Institute for Clinical and Translational Science, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USAInstitute for Clinical and Translational Science, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USAInstitute for Clinical and Translational Science, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USAInstitute for Clinical and Translational Science, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USAInstitute for Clinical and Translational Science, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USAFew studies have explored the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has presented for Clinical Research Units (CRUs), the solutions that have been implemented, and the changes that have been made in the operational guidelines for these entities. This study sought to identify and document common practices implemented by CRUs around the United States of America (USA) when addressing the unique challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This descriptive study utilized a non-experimental mixed-methods approach and gathered data from representatives of 43 CRUs across the USA. An online survey was followed by in-depth interviews. The findings show that challenges faced from the COVID-19 pandemic, changes made to daily operations, and lessons learned are very similar across CRUs. Although most CRUs never stopped performing essential clinical research, many adapted to the pandemic by engaging in virtual visits, and many played key roles in administering and supporting both COVID-19 therapeutic and vaccine trials. Follow-up interviews showed that processes for formal approval and reopening were similar across CRUs. In addition to highlighting the significance of the role played by CRUs during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study addresses the relevance of CRUs and lays the groundwork for future conversations on the importance of these units.https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059866121008360/type/journal_articleCOVID-19 pandemicCRUsCTSA CRUsClinical Research UnitsResearch Units Network
spellingShingle Maran Subramain
Jackline M. Wangui-Verry
Kimberly J. Sprenger
Alejandro P. Comellas
Patrick B. Barlow
Impact of COVID-19 on Clinical Research Units (CRUs)
Journal of Clinical and Translational Science
COVID-19 pandemic
CRUs
CTSA CRUs
Clinical Research Units
Research Units Network
title Impact of COVID-19 on Clinical Research Units (CRUs)
title_full Impact of COVID-19 on Clinical Research Units (CRUs)
title_fullStr Impact of COVID-19 on Clinical Research Units (CRUs)
title_full_unstemmed Impact of COVID-19 on Clinical Research Units (CRUs)
title_short Impact of COVID-19 on Clinical Research Units (CRUs)
title_sort impact of covid 19 on clinical research units crus
topic COVID-19 pandemic
CRUs
CTSA CRUs
Clinical Research Units
Research Units Network
url https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059866121008360/type/journal_article
work_keys_str_mv AT maransubramain impactofcovid19onclinicalresearchunitscrus
AT jacklinemwanguiverry impactofcovid19onclinicalresearchunitscrus
AT kimberlyjsprenger impactofcovid19onclinicalresearchunitscrus
AT alejandropcomellas impactofcovid19onclinicalresearchunitscrus
AT patrickbbarlow impactofcovid19onclinicalresearchunitscrus