title: Using the Clinical Research Network for psychosocial cancer research: lessons learned from two observational studies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patient recruitment to psychosocial oncology research has increased but the many studies have been single-site or small-scale. The National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network, supports National Institute for Health Research portfolio studies through provision of research staff for recruitment and follow-up. These studies are usually clinical trials of an investigational medicinal product. Psychosocial researchers have little used this resource.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report the processes followed and experiences of two psychosocial research teams who recently used the Clinical Research Network, to undertake patient recruitment to two prospective observational studies: electronic Patient-reported Outcomes from Cancer Survivors study (ePOCS) and the ColoREctal Wellbeing study (CREW). Both research groups employed different approaches to using Clinical Research Network support.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ePOCS secured Comprehensive Local Research Networks funding to appoint ePOCS-specific study research nurses. CREW obtained research support through the National Institute for Health Research Cancer Research Network. Recruitment targets were met (ePOCS n=636; CREW n=1055) despite logistical, administrative and bureaucratic challenges in setting up the studies. Research nurses feedback was mainly positive (ePOCS study only). Top tips for establishing and running psychosocial studies with Clinical Research Network staff are provided and suggestions given for advancing multicentre complex psychosocial studies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Some challenges were similar to those in delivery of clinical trials of an investigational medicinal product. The pros and cons of being involved in ePOCS from the research nurse perspective are also described. Overall the approaches used were successful with both studies reaching their recruitment targets.
authors.affiliation: Psychosocial Oncology and Clinical Practice Research Group, Leeds Institute for Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK.
authors.forename: Penny
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.affiliation: Macmillan Survivorship Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fenlon
authors.affiliation: Psychosocial Oncology and Clinical Practice Research Group, Leeds Institute for Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: Macmillan Survivorship Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.affiliation: School of Social, Psychological & Communication Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ashley
authors.affiliation: Macmillan Survivorship Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: Kim Chivers
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Seymour
authors.affiliation: Psychosocial Oncology and Clinical Practice Research Group, Leeds Institute for Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK.
authors.forename: Galina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Velikova
authors.affiliation: Macmillan Survivorship Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: Ikumi
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Okamoto
authors.affiliation: Clinical Trials Research Unit, Leeds Institute of Clinical Trials Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brown
keywords: Cancer; Methodological Research; Survivorship