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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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2021-01-01
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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. |
first_indexed | 2024-04-10T04:53:06Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-dd34c43dc1724c58a13576f13f7a8584 |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 2059-8661 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-04-10T04:53:06Z |
publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
publisher | Cambridge University Press |
record_format | Article |
series | Journal of Clinical and Translational Science |
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 |
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