title: The Research Associate Committee of the ACR Imaging Network.
abstract: Research associates (RAs) play an important role in ensuring the quality of clinical trials. They are largely responsible for maintaining the accuracy and timeliness of data collected and for complying with applicable regulations. At the ACR Imaging Network (ACRIN), a cooperative group, RAs have formed a committee with the mission of helping ACRIN achieve its goal of conducting quality multi-institutional imaging clinical trials. Because of the varying backgrounds and levels of experience of ACRIN's RAs, one of the first goals of the committee was to develop an educational program that would provide standard training to all RAs. The committee also felt that RAs should be involved in the protocol development process from the earliest stages, and they are now represented on each major ACRIN committee. Other committee activities include publishing a newsletter, conducting an RA questionnaire, maintaining a Web page, and developing an online training tool. With hard work from the committee members, support from ACRIN's leadership, and demonstrated accomplishments, the committee has become an integral part of ACRIN's organization.
authors.affiliation: University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA. ssaleniu@med.miami.edu
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salenius
authors.forename: Lorna
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Beccaria
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cobb
authors.forename: Roslynn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marzan
authors.forename: Sophia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sabina
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sitton-Petro
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: D Lynn
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Werner
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000458:organization & administration; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000193:education*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003479:Curriculum; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D011367:Professional Staff Committees / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011871:Radiology / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration; D012108:Research Personnel / Q000193:education*; D012955:Societies, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States