Participant & Clinical Interactions

Overview

The Participant and Clinical Interactions Resources (PCIR) serves the clinical and translational research needs of a broad spectrum of investigators across campus by providing a comprehensive support with its various core resources and facilities including a: Recruitment/ Retention core; Bionutrition Core; Research Design and Biostatistics core; Nursing core; Noninvasive Cardiovascular Ultrasound and Hemodynamic laboratory; Protein Profiling; and Analytical Chemistry laboratory. In addition to its successful community engagement and support of community based recruitment, the CRC has formed collaborations with institutional partners and research network consortia. For example, MSM CRC is unique in fully embracing the CTSA as a partner in the Atlanta CTSI; it is also fully engaged in the RCMI Translational Research Network (RTRN) The PCIR function of the R-CENTER tightly links the CRC’s clinical and translational research resources with community practice based participant recruitment resources support for protocol implementation.

What is the PCIR core?

The Participant and Clinical Interactions Resources (PCIR) Core is a key link in the translation of new scientific knowledge along the continuum to impact the public health of the nation’s underserved populations. The mission of PCIR is, “To provide a high-quality, ethical, safe, and cost-effective environment that fosters education and training and encourages participation by the community and investigators in clinical and translational research.”

  • Specialized research facilities and venues
  • Research procedures
  • Trained staff to conduct procedures
  • Data management
  • Interaction with Regulatory Knowledge and Support, Data/Biostatistics/Ethics and other R- Centers and cores.

PCIR Services

Anthropometric measurements

Bioelectric impedance assays

DEXA scans

Exercise Stress

Glucose tolerance testing

Nutritional Assessments

Phlebotomy

Research diet/meal preparations in the CRC Research Kitchen

Administration of drugs and investigational drugs

Assist investigators in the preparation of and with information necessary for protocols to experience successful IRB submission

Biological Specimen Sample Preparation

Provide researchers with reliable and comprehensive ways to recruit patients for their individual protocols

Make complex research observations and perform precise data and specimen collection (phlebotomy) and other special procedures

Perform hemodynamic monitoring, which includes heart rate, respiration, temperature, blood pressure, EKG's, patient care and safety

Research Subject Advocate - ensuring the safety of subjects participating in research in CRC studies

Resting Energy Expenditure (REE) measurements using indirect calrimetry

Transhoracic Echocardiography

Vascular Function

Participant and Clinical Interactions Resources Aims

Aim 1

Provide an integrated participant and clinical interaction resource that is closely linked to translational research efforts throughout the MSM R-CENTER.

Aim 2

Develop a flexible integrated community based PCIR that provides access to underrepresented minority patients and other underserved communities in metro Atlanta at hospital-based, medical office-based and community-based clinical interaction sites.

Aim 3

Integrate within PCIR the training of students, physicians, and community members.

Aim 4

Streamline, optimize and improve the recruitment of participants and conduct of clinical research across MSM affiliated patient care sites.

Aim 5

Integrate collaborative and communication tools that will enhance research studies across partner institutions of the ACTSI and with the RCMI Translational Research Network (RTRN) consortium.

JCAHO Accreditation

The Joint Commission evaluates the quality and safety of care for more than 17,000 health care organizations. To maintain and earn accreditation, organizations must have an extensive on-site review by a team of Joint Commission health care professionals, at least once every three years. The purpose of the review is to evaluate the organization's performance in areas that affect your care/research. Accreditation may then be awarded based on how well the organizations met Joint Commission standards. It is so very important when discussing granting and more importantly, the safety and quality of service given to those at this center.

To register a complaint with Joint Commission – here are two ways to do so http://www.jointcommission.org/report_a_complaint.aspx or write to -Office of Quality Management – The Joint Commission – One Renaissance Blvd. – Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181