Lead Locally, Impact Nationally: Roles and Responsibilities for Site PI in PHM Research

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Hospital Medicine
• Clinical Trial Research
• Multisite Research

Background:

• The field of Pediatric Hospital Medicine (PHM) is expanding.
• There is a growing need for high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) within PHM.
• Junior and midcareer faculty are increasingly available to lead research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the roles and responsibilities of site principal investigator (PI) personnel in multisite research.
• To outline the benefits for faculty engaging in site PI roles.
• To provide guidance on pursuing opportunities to support PHM trials as a site PI.

Main Methods:

• Review of roles and responsibilities for site-PI personnel in multisite studies.
• Discussion of the advantages and career development opportunities associated with being a site PI.
• Exploration of pathways for faculty to become involved in PHM clinical trials.

Main Results:

• Site-PI personnel are essential for the successful execution of multisite PHM RCTs.
• Engaging as a site PI offers significant benefits for faculty development and contribution to the field.
• Clear pathways exist for faculty to assume site PI roles and contribute to advancing the health of hospitalized children.

Conclusions:

• The growth of PHM necessitates robust clinical trial infrastructure, including trained site-PI personnel.
• Faculty involvement as site PIs is critical for advancing evidence-based practice in pediatric hospital medicine.
• Supporting and developing site PIs is key to expanding the scientific contributions of PHM research.