The role of clinical trial nurses: Transitioning from clinicians to clinical research coordinators

This study aimed to explore the role of clinical research coordinators (CRCs) and identify the importance and performance of the role as well as the factors that affect the professional recognition of their role.

A total of 102 CRCs from 10 hospitals were recruited for a survey. The Clinical Trial Nursing Questionnaire scale developed by Ehrenberger and Lillington was used to collect data for the importance-performance analysis. The importance and performance data were plotted on a two-dimensional grid, and multiple stepwise linear regression analysis was used to determine the influencing factors on the CRC role.

The influencing factors on the importance of the CRC role were frequency of protocol assessment, implementation and evaluation and professional nursing role performance. The influencing factors on performance were formal education and training in clinical research, institutional career ladder system for professional development and identification as a principal investigator in research studies. The influencing factor on the professional nursing role perception was the lower component of the 'performance of professional nursing role'.

Formal educational preparation, identification as a principal investigator in research studies and clear career progression are supportive factors to the professional recognition of CRC as a specialized nursing role.