June 15, 2001

When the MGH Clinical Research Program (CRP) was founded five years ago, one of its original mandates was to help research study staff understand how to do their jobs. The array of federal regulations and MGH policies can confuse even experienced clinical investigators. The CRP recognized the need for a reference guide that is accessible to all research personnel. Investigators and study staff now can stay informed, thanks to the publication of "Clinical Research @ MGH — A Guide for the Clinical Research Community."

The book represents the culmination of two years of work on the part of a team of research coordinators and nurses, who collaborated to form the CRP Handbook Committee. The committee members presented the manual to Partners unit and department chiefs at the Clinical Research Council in October 2000. The Research Council's members — clinical investigators representing various departments — were enthusiastic.

"The handbook guides users through the MGH clinical research system," explains committee member and CRP training coordinator Judith Scheer, MPH, RN, CCRC. "It is news for the entire clinical research community. We chose the title to reflect the fact that the handbook is for all clinical research staff. And the best part is that it was developed by a handful of volunteers who were so committed to sharing this important information with the research community."

The CRP handbook is available to all MGH investigators and research staff. For more information, contact Scheer at (617) 726-3587 or send e-mail to jscheer@partners.org.

Members of the CRP Handbook Committee