88 - Pipeline Program to Build Diverse Research Teams: The Clinical Research Coordinator Certificate Program

Background:  Diverse staff significantly correlates with increased recruitment and retention of volunteers from diverse backgrounds into studies, as it helps build trust and understanding. However, Black and Hispanic research coordinators are underrepresented in the field at 3.3% and 9%, respectively. Career pathways and professional development are essential to address this need.

Program

Description:  The Clinical Research Coordinator Certificate (CRCC) program is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to coordinate and manage clinical research studies effectively. It comprises a 3-month online didactic with twelve modules covering key topics such as study design, ethics and regulations, participant recruitment and retention, data collection and management, and study monitoring. It is delivered through a combination of lectures, case studies, readings, group discussions, and practical exercises, and is suitable for individuals new to clinical research coordination or those with limited field experience. The program culminates with a 1-day, on-campus intensive skill-building workshop, resulting in a sign-off on entry-level coordinator core competencies. The program has partnered with Black Women in Clinical Research (BWICR) and Noir Research Collective to help recruit students from underrepresented populations. A mentorship program was also created which uses a mentorship platform for scheduling, assigning, and tracking mentoring sessions.

Program

Assessment:  The pilot cohort commenced in April 2023. The response to the program announcement was very enthusiastic, with 98 applications received within the first week of posting. This suggests that many individuals are interested in entering the field but may lack accessible pathways. There have been 28 graduates (10-Spring23, 7-Fall23, 11-Spring24), of which 75% are from underrepresented populations. Students have access to the mentorship pool throughout the course, and to date, 82 sessions have been tracked as completed in the mentorship platform. Lastly, in Winter 2023, the program received approval to serve as a pathway program for the Master of Science in Health Informatics (MSHI) and the Master of Science in Clinical Research (MSCR) degree programs at Morehouse School of Medicine. If students meet the program requirements and successfully matriculate through the CRCC program, they will be automatically accepted into either the MSCR or MSHI programs should they apply. Overall, these results highlight the program's effectiveness in meeting the demand for diverse and well-trained research coordinators, supporting both immediate workforce needs and long-term health equity goals.

Limitations: Application submissions were declined for cohorts 2 and 3 mostly due to the short recruitment window. A more targeted recruitment approach has since been developed, which includes our community physician partners, who view this program as an opportunity to enhance their capacity to do research. Three staff members within the Community Physicians Network (CPN) have matriculated through the program, and two graduates have been hired to work at CPN sites as coordinators.

Discussion:  The graduation of 28 students in the first year demonstrates the program’s success in recruiting and training underrepresented research coordinators, directly addressing diversity gaps. The approval of the program as a pathway to the MSHI and MSCR degrees offers students further educational and career advancement opportunities, ensuring a continued supply of highly qualified research professionals. The next steps for the program include continued recruitment of students and mentors, partnering with research facilities and CPN sites to obtain paid internship and job placement opportunities for the graduates, and replicating the program to implement in technical colleges across the state of Georgia.