Capacity Building for a New Multicenter Network Within the ECHO IDeA States Pediatric Clinical Trials Network

Area of Science:

• Pediatric clinical trials research
• Health services research

Background:

• Professional development for pediatrician scientists requires robust research capacity building, an area with limited literature.
• The ECHO IDeA States Pediatric Clinical Trials Network (ISPCTN) aims to conduct pediatric trials in underserved and rural areas, necessitating enhanced research infrastructure and faculty expertise.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present findings from a site assessment inventory conducted during the first year of the ISPCTN.
• To inform the development of targeted training modules for enhancing pediatric clinical trial research capacity.

Main Methods:

• An assessment inventory was created to survey ISPCTN sites.
• The inventory collected data on site-level activities focused on increasing clinical trial research capacity for pediatrician scientists and their teams.
• Findings guided the creation of training modules in faculty/coordinator development, infrastructure enhancement, and trials/research concept development.

Main Results:

• High participation rates were observed in the developed training modules.
• The site assessment inventory proved valuable in guiding the development of relevant training.
• Local barriers impacting clinical trial research were identified.

Conclusions:

• Successful implementation of pediatric clinical trials requires building capacity both across and within participating research sites.
• Research capacity building is a complex but essential component for the sustainability of networks addressing significant pediatric health issues.
• The ISPCTN's focus on enhancing capacity among pediatrician scientists and teams is vital for trial success and improving child and family health outcomes.