title: The role of the clinical research coordinator--data manager--in oncology clinical trials.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to determine the standard tasks performed by clinical research coordinators (CRCs) in oncology clinical trials.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-one CRCs were anonymously surveyed, using a four-page self-administered questionnaire focused on demographics, qualifications, and professional experience. The survey questions on responsibilities consisted of an ad-hoc 32-item questionnaire where respondents had to rate the frequency of involvement in the listed activities using a 3-point scale. We defined as "standard" a task that was rated as "in all or nearly all trials" by at least half of the respondents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A response rate of 90% (37 out of 41) was achieved after two mailings. Less than half of the respondents had received additional training in oncology, clinical research or Good Clinical Practices (GCP). Overall, all standard tasks performed by CRCs were in the category of "monitoring activities" (those usually performed by a Clinical Research Associate "CRA") and included patient registration/randomization, recruitment follow-up, case report form completion, collaboration with the CRA, serious adverse events reporting, handling of investigator files, and preparing the site for and/or attending audits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CRCs play a key role in the implementation of oncology clinical trials, which goes far beyond mere data collection and/or administrative support, and directly contributes to the gathering of good quality data.
authors.affiliation: Biometrica, Eloy Gonzalo 27, 28010-Madrid, Spain. fernando.rico-villademoros@biometrica-group.com
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rico-Villademoros
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hernando
authors.forename: Juan-Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Sanz
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: López-Alonso
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Salamanca
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Camps
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rosell
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D007587:Job Description; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008495:Medical Oncology; D012108:Research Personnel; D016526:Workload