Applicability of NINDS-sponsored studies to community-based physician involvement.
BACKGROUND
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) Clinical Trials Group established the Clinical Research Collaboration (CRC) Project in 2005 to increase community-based physician involvement in NINDS-sponsored research.


METHODS
We assessed a random sample of 112 of the more than 1,000 current NINDS-sponsored clinical research studies to determine which could involve community physicians in enrollment or follow-up. Scoring factors were based on the premise that participation is feasible for noninvasive studies with simple screening, and follow-up criteria and visit frequency consistent with usual care. Scored studies included 26 Phase III, 31 Phase I/II, and 55 nonclinical trials.


RESULTS
Overall, 41% of the sampled research studies were considered conducive to community physician participation that exceeds referral only; 21% with participation in all study activities and 20% with ability to provide some follow-up. Specialized neuropsychological or neurologic scale testing was judged to exclude community physician participation in 16% of studies.


CONCLUSIONS
Many National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke studies are available in which community-based physicians could participate. Involving community physicians may increase efficiency of completing clinical research and encourage application of research findings in community practices.
The EMMES Corporation, Rockville, MD, USA. alindblad@emmes.com
A S
AS
Lindblad
T
T
Clemons
R W
RW
Lindblad
R
R
Sykes
K J
KJ
Meador
J C
JC
Odenkirchen
R G
RG
Hart
D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008403:Mass Screening; D009316:National Institutes of Health (U.S.) / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D009462:Neurology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D018579:Patient Selection; D010820:Physicians / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D012109:Research Support as Topic / Q000639:trends; D014481:United States