Clinical Research Resources 

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About This Core

The Clinical Research Resources (CRR) Core aims to provide a seamless approach and comprehensive network of Clinical Trial Units (CTUs) to support clinical and translational research across Louisiana. CRR supports a uniform and systematic approach to clinical research deployed across all institutions of the LA CaTS Center with a rational allocation of facilities, equipment, trained personnel and uniform systems (standard operating procedures, electronic applications and good clinical practices). This standardization and uniform approach has several important advantages to investigators: 

• allows for efficiency in multisite clinical research projects;
• makes it possible for knowledge on conducting clinical research to be more easily disseminated across multiple institutions;
• facilitates collaboration;
• makes it easier for PhDs to engage in clinical research;
• makes it possible for community-based clinics and community physicians to be part of the clinical research enterprise; and
• is more feasible to share resources and avoid duplication of effort.

The CRR core will advance the mission of the LA CaTS Center using three strategies. First, CRR will serve as a source of expertise for clinical research as well as providing technical support and personnel for data collection in existing and planned LA CaTS clinical trial units. Second, we will enhance our coordinator and investigator training activities. Finally, CRR will support a disease-based community network to enhance clinical and translational research activity among all LA CaTS institutions, off-site locations, and especially for underserved and rural communities. These strategies will be implemented under the following specific aims:

Specific Aim 1. To support clinical activity and to ensure efficient and effective data collection in ongoing clinical trials. The primary goals of this aim are to consolidate/enhance our current CRR program and to promote new multi-institutional research projects.
Specific Aim 2. To expand support through development of infrastructure and human resources for clinical and translational research across the state. Infrastructure and resources for clinical and translational research will be expanded to new partner institutions. We will provide training on study coordination, hiring of personnel, clinical trial start-up, and methods of operation. Standard operating procedures for CRR are provided for all investigators on the LA CaTS website.
Specific Aim 3. To enhance our excellent clinical and translational research programs through training and professional development. Specifically, we will add a new marketing, recruitment and participant retention focus to our ongoing training activities.
Specific Aim 4. To extend the reach of CRR beyond the existing clinical trials unit to engage disparate populations within the state. Specifically, we will collaborate with the Community Engagement and Outreach (CEO) Core to establish and maintain a network of disease-focused community members in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport. Network members will be recruited through CEO as well as Federally Qualified Health Centers and Agriculture Extension agents working with underserved and rural populations.

The LA CaTS Clinical Trial Units (CTUs)

The LA CaTS Center CTUs are located across the state and our participating institutions in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport areas. A list of the current CTU sites and contacts can be found on the below.

What classifies a clinical site as a LA CaTS CTU? They are either funded with LA CaTS Center grant funds, funded by the LA CaTS member institution, or have committed research staff to conduct and support clinical and translational research studies.

Clinical Sites & Contacts:

Each CTU has a Research Facilitator assigned to work one-on-one with investigators to carry a research project through from the planning stage to study completion.

A list of services offered by the LA CaTS CTUs can be found on SPARC or by contacting the CTU Facilitator directly.

Training Programs for Research Coordinators & Investigators

The CRR team offers various training programs to research professionals from the clinical coordinator level to the experienced senior investigator. Click HERE to see a description of our current training programs and when they are offered.