Current Status of Educational Experience and Preferred Educational and Certification Program of Clinical Research Nurses : A Questionnaire Survey

국내 연구간호사를 위한 교육 및 자격인증프로그램에 관한 설문조사

Background : There's very limited educational programs for clinical research nurses (CRNs) in Korea. This study was aimed to identify current status of educational experience, preferred educational and certification program of CRNs Methods : This was cross-sectional descriptive study with fifty three CRNs and forty CRAs who were conveniently selected. Data were collected with questionnaires including demographics, educational experience, and preferred educational and certification program of CRNs by mail or e-mail. Results : Sixty six percent had experience to be educated related to the clinical research or clinical trials, and ten programs were popular. Preferred educational contents for CRNs were monitoring & reporting adverse events, completing case report form (CRF), reviewing protocol for basic course, and regulation, making a manual, and research methodology for advanced course. Short-term intensive course with twenty eight or twenty nine hours and on-site education were preferred. Over ninety percents thought certification program was necessary. New potential agency such as association of clinical research professionals was recommended to be good for organizing the certification program. The best qualification to have certification was taking educational course and passing the test. Conclusion : The rate of being educated related to the clinical research or clinical trials among the CRNs was not so high. Therefore, we need to increase the rate and develop educational programs with considering the preferred contents, time period, and operation method for CRNs. Certification for CRNs seems to be necessary to improve the qualify and satisfaction of CRNs, and independent agency can be helpful to organize it.