The Crucial Skills That All CRAs (Monitors) Need

Picture of AGA Finlayson, MA, MSc, Founder and Director of the White Wisteria Academy.

AGA Finlayson, MA, MSc

Found and Director

White Wisteria Academy

Abstract: In the heavily regulated world of clinical research, clinical research associates (CRAs) are generally receiving all of the training in hard skills that they need to understand their role. What is often missing is training in the soft skills that will help them deal with the demands of the job, increase each CRA’s job satisfaction, and reduce churn (staff turnover), while allowing CRAs to have a healthy work-life balance. Examples of crucial soft skills include assertiveness, listening, and task efficiency. This article describes two pictures of a CRA’s life: one without these soft skills and one with soft skills training. This will illustrate the importance of paying attention to soft skills and offering CRAs appropriate training in soft skills along with training in hard skills.

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Celebrating Clinical Research Excellence with 2024 President’s Award Winner Dan Redline, BA, CCRP 

The global clinical research community will gather in Las Vegas from September 27-29, 2024, for the SOCRA Annual Conference. This year, we’re pleased to honor Dan Redline with the President’s Award, recognizing his extraordinary contributions and dedication to advancing clinical research. 

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Finding Success and Belonging at the SOCRA Annual Conference: A First Time Attendee’s Experience 

Holly Crandall

BSN, RN, CCRP

Indiana University School of Medicine

This time last year, I was unsure if traveling to Montreal for the SOCRA Annual Conference would be a worthwhile investment in my career. As a research nurse, I’ve attended several conferences specific to my clinical field, which provided valuable knowledge about the disease states I work with. However, the SOCRA Annual Conference was different. It offered new tools and ways of thinking about my daily work. Entering a poster into the Poster Program also gave me a greater sense of involvement. I left energized by the passion of the other participants and excited for this year’s conference in Las Vegas. 

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Strategies to Promote Inclusion and Decrease Language Barriers in Spanish Speaking Participants

Ariana Berrios, EMT, Thomas Jefferson University

Picture of Emily Navarreto, BS, Thomas Jefferson University.

Emily Navarreto, BS

Thomas Jefferson University

Picture of Nancy A. Wintering, LCSW, CCRP, Thomas Jefferson University.

Nancy A. Wintering, LCSW, CCRP

Thomas Jefferson University

Abstract: This paper was developed from our discussions about inclusion of non-English speakers in clinical research. We presented a poster on this topic at the 2022 SOCRA Annual Conference. We believe that Spanish-speaking individuals are often excluded from clinical research studies because of language barriers. While some language services have been established for clinical use, those services are often unavailable and are generally not standardized for clinical research purposes. This paper calls attention to current language barriers and provides an overview of the shortcomings of Spanish language services in clinical research. The authors propose strategies to promote research that is inclusive of Spanish-speaking participants. While the emphasis of this paper is focused on improving inclusion of Spanish-speaking participants in clinical research; the solutions we propose could be applied to other participants whose first language is not English.

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Creating a Professional Workplace

Picture of Barbara van der Schalie, senior clinical research training manager and clinical monitoring research program directorate for Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research.

Barbara van der Schalie, MA

Senior Clinical Research Training Manager

Clinical Monitoring Research Program Directorate

Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research

Abstract: Professionalism is a key component of a dynamic, thriving workplace and a defining element of a productive workplace culture. As clinical research becomes more generationally diverse, professionalism standards are becoming less consistent. This article describes the changing concepts of professionalism, how it is judged, and how to optimize professionalism to benefit individuals and organizations.

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What it Means to Be a SOCRA Member

SOCRA membership signifies a commitment to excellence in clinical research. We unite a global community of over 15,000 members across 58 countries, all dedicated to advancing clinical research practices and fostering professional growth. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the field, SOCRA offers invaluable opportunities for learning, networking, and making a meaningful impact. 

 
In this post, we’ll highlight what it means to be a SOCRA member, showcasing how our community collaborates to drive innovation, share knowledge, and elevate standards in clinical research, ultimately shaping the future of healthcare worldwide. 

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Workforce Development Transformation and Implementation: The Critical Role of Leaders in Success

Picture of Erika Stevens, faculty lecturer at Rutgers Clinical Research Management and Principal of Recherche Transformation Rapide. LLC

Erika Stevens, MA, FACRP

Faculty Lecturer

Rutgers Clinical Research Management

Principal

Recherche Transformation Rapide LLC

Picture of Liz Wool, President of Wool Consulting Group, Inc.

Liz Wool, FACRP, CCRA, CID, CMT

President

Wool Consulting Group, Inc.

Abstract: The role of leaders in successful implementation of a workforce development program is often overlooked. Notably, change management and the leader’s fluency in implementing change is necessary for success. This article describes the critical attributes for leaders to be able to manage and implement workforce development for their organizations, and for leveraging transformation management principles and practices for success.

Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial relationship(s) in connection with this article.

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SOCRA’s Summer Programming: Top Virtual Courses and Cost-Free Ways to Earn CE 

As an educational non-profit, SOCRA understands the importance of providing low cost and accessible education while maintaining high-quality educational standards. We are committed to providing valuable learning opportunities without a high sticker price. Our in-person live programs offer the high quality interactive programming with the all the befits to being in person. If that’s not possible for you, we now offer many of our in-person conferences virtually, which not only reduces expenses but also increases accessibility for clinical research professionals worldwide.

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Diverse Recruitment in Fast Enrolling Wearable Device Clinical Trials

Picture of Andrew Snyder, director of the Clinical Trials Office at M Health Fairview.

Andrew Snyder

Director

Clinical Trials Office

M Health Fairview

Picture of Andrea Martinez, Community Partnership Manager at M Health Fairview.

Andrea Martinez

Community Partnership Manager

M Health Fairview

Contributors: Diane Tran, System Executive Director, Community Health Equity and Engagement, M Health Fairview and Katherine Grannon, Community Health Equity Impact Manager, M Health Fairview

Improving clinical trial diversity is an ethical, scientific, and clinical priority. Federal regulators, industry sponsors, the National Institute of Health (NIH), academic journals, investigators, coordinators, and physicians agree with the importance of ensuring diverse participation in medical research. Not only will racially diverse research studies validate trial results across the population, but they are also important in building trust in the results and subsequent therapeutic adoption of the studied investigational product. A recent experiment reported that giving African American/Black patients study results from a racially representative trial increased their belief that the drug would be effective for them by 20%, without altering white patients’ perception of the medication1.

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Clinical Trials Day 2024: A Call to Reflect, Engage & Inspire

Clinical Trials Day is a moving reminder of the clinical research community’s pivotal role in shaping the future of the field. It’s a day of reflection for us to thank you and also a call to action, urging us to actively engage in advancing clinical research to drive innovation, improve patient outcomes, and enhance healthcare.

In this article, we’ll reflect on the successes of our SOCRA Chapter Volunteers to demonstrate the vast possibilities we can uncover together. For those who feel inspired to take action, chapter volunteers will share valuable tips for starting a local SOCRA chapter. These chapters empower local clinical research communities and provide a platform for personal growth and career development, enabling you to make a difference while fueling your professional aspirations.

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