Research assistants' perspective of clinical trials: Results of a focus group

Objective: To better understand the experiences and problems encountered by research assistants (RAs) involved in clinical trials to improve the process of RA training for future studies. Design: A 1-time focus group of research assistants was conducted. Setting: A chiropractic college in the United States during a national chiropractic research agenda conference. Subjects: Eight research assistants from 2 teaching institutions, who are directly involved in clinical trials and have patient-centered responsibilities, such as recruiting patients, interviewing patients, and collecting data. Main Outcome Measures: Responses to predetermined questions were qualitatively compiled. Question topics included research assistants' experiences while administering phone screens, questionnaires, and informed consents. Results: Research assistants involved in this focus group expressed they were adequately trained in telephone screening and administering informed consent but felt they required more training in administering self-report questionnaires to patients. The majority of problems they encountered were related to a lack of information. To improve training of future RAs, more detailed study information is necessary, such as how to describe study treatments and how to give questionnaire instructions. Conclusions: The comparability of responses by the members of this focus group was interesting. Members had similar experiences within clinical trials and found that the problems encountered were common across studies.