Questionnaire survey of researchers about the support of clinical studies by clinical research coordinators in the Hokkaido University Hospital

Background: To conduct a high-quality clinical study, the support by experienced staff is essential. Translational Research and Clinical Trial Center of Hokkaido University Hospital started the support of clinical studies in order to promote the production of high-quality clinical studies in 2011.

Objectives: This questionnaire survey aimed to assess the researchers' satisfactions and needs for the support by a clinical research coordinator (CRC) and how much expense would be expected for the support.

Results: Eighty five out of 102 researchers answered the questionnaire. Overall satisfaction of 71 or more points was obtained from 82% of researchers and supports by CRCs were satisfied by many researchers. In the other hand, the amount of an expense for support was higher than researchers expected.

Discussions: A well-organized management of the support system, a division of the work to meet the researcher's needs and a training to collaborate with each other smoothly is considered to be important.