This package is a replay of 10 on-demand session recordings and presentation slides from the Leadership & Career Growth Track at the ACRP 2023 Conference, April 29 – May 1, Dallas, Texas. Get the insights you need to advance your career and grow as a leader.
Member: $99 | Nonmember: $149
Participants can earn up to 11 ACRP contact hours. Upon purchase, the sessions will be accessible from your My Courses Dashboard. Replay sessions expire on May 31, 2026.
Although decentralized trial (DCT) elements have been around for years, the pandemic accelerated DCT and hybrid designs “back to the future,” a paradigm shift predicted to continue. While clinical trial regulations do not change just because trials are decentralized, there are increased cybersecurity risks that need extra scrutiny. Academic Medical Centers (AMCs) face similar roadblocks to industry when incorporating DCT elements into their study designs, with a few notable differences that will be presented. AMCs are doing more with experimental technologies, including telemedicine, smartphone apps, sensors, text messaging, chatbots, traveling nurses, and collecting primary efficacy variables through ePROs. Practical tips and suggestions will be given for working with AMCs, and trials of the future, to design and execute digital and hybrid DCT approaches outside of the traditional brick-and-mortar research site. Speakers: Jeri Burr, MS, RN, PED-BC, CCRC, FACRP, Executive Director, Utah Trial Innovation Center, University of Utah; Jamie Dwyer, MD, Professor of Medicine, Associate Dean of Clinical Research, CRSO, Medical Director, University of Utah; John Van Buren, PhD, Assistant Professor, Family & Preventive Medicine – Adjunct Assistant Professor, Population Health Sciences – Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Utah
There are alarming staff shortages and turnover rates for clinical research professionals (CRPs), negatively impacting research activities. Recent publications have identified potential factors that may improve retention and job satisfaction amongst clinical research coordinators such as PI engagement, and compensation; however, job satisfaction data lack granularity to explore factors deeply. We conducted a mixed methods research study to further explore job satisfaction and retention, soliciting survey and open-ended qualitative responses from CRPs working at clinical trial sites. This study will validate correlative findings associated with job satisfaction and retention of clinical research professionals, identify new characteristics that may be associated with clinical research professional retention, and aid in developing further research and solution-finding. In this presentation, we will share our study findings and facilitate discussion for targeted and widespread solutions. Speakers: Jessica Fritter, MACPR, ACRP-CP, Associated Faculty, Instructor of Clinical Practice, The Ohio State University; Carolynn Jones, DNP, MSPH, RN, FAAN, Associate Professor – Clinical, The Ohio State University; Spencer Harris, Clinical Research Coordinator, The Ohio State University
In an age when the clinical research workforce is dwindling, lacks proper training, and is expected to assume more responsibility than ever before, it is time for sites to meaningfully address workforce development and reimagine the way clinical research departments function in the context of their organizations. This interactive session will analyze the career trajectories that bring individuals to clinical research and delve into the key onboarding and training dynamics required for retention. Attendees will receive Clinical Research Coordinator training toolkit materials and will discuss actionable initiatives to produce stability in the clinical research workforce. Anyone interested in the development of the clinical research workforce should attend this session as we analyze strategies for site staff stability and growth from a variety of perspectives in a rapidly evolving landscape. Speakers: Katie Buckley, Clinical Research Coordinator, Renown Health; Kristen Gurnea, MPH, CCRC, ACRP-PM, Manager of Clinical Research, Renown Health; Lisa Lionetti-Freutel, CCRC, Clinical Research Coordinator, Renown Health; Valerie Smith, Clinical Research Center Administrative Manager, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
As we all know, the field of clinical research is governed by multiple sets of regulations, rules and expectations set by a variety of different governing bodies. While these rules are necessary to ensure the safety of patients and quality of studies, it often means we get in the habit of “doing things as they’ve always been done.” This session will explore and promote opportunities for creativity and innovation within clinical research on a personal, company-wide, and large-scale scope while maintaining compliance with strict regulations. Some areas of focus include internal innovation opportunities, technology and data-driven advances, working efficiency methods, and more. We invite everyone to join, listen, and actively collaborate on ideas to expand the field of clinical research within your company or your own practice. Speakers: Morgan Heck, Associate Clinical Research Associate, Merck; Kayla Perry, Associate Clinical Research Associate, Merck
Clinical Research Professionals are under increasing stress as timelines are shortened, more work is being done remotely, and worker shortages are commonplace. You may have experienced the agony of working alongside someone who makes you feel frustrated and cranky. Conflict in the workplace is common. Resolving conflict takes planning, being open-minded, and acting whole-heartedly. Come to this session to learn how to plan a resolution discussion. Speaker: Mary Lord, RN, MS, CCRA, Associate Director, Merck
Effective public speaking and communication practices are integral to clinical research training/education. Critical study information is delivered to clinical research associates, investigational site staff and study patients on a regular basis, yet the content is only as strong as the educator delivering the message. This presentation will provide critical insight on how to effectively capture and sustain the clinical research audience with a powerful message, engage and sustain interest with measures on powerful body language, intonation, and storytelling, and ensure the message content is understood and retained through positive presentation strategies. This in turn will assure accurate implementation of clinical research process to positively impact credible data, patient safety and overall study conduct. Speaker: Elizabeth Weeks-Rowe, LVN, CCRA, Clinical Research Trainer/Writer, Clinical Research Writing and Training
Are you having trouble communicating with your study site or team? Seems like you all aren’t on the same page? Look no further! “Communication and Teamwork” will help get you back on track. This session will teach you how to effectively communicate with the other side. You will learn how to identify when a lack of communication is present; develop an action plan and implement that plan to foster a cohesive environment to close the communication gap. Speaker: Carmen Thornton, Senior Clinical Research Associate, Merck
This is “Jeopardy!”. With us in the room are today’s volunteer contestants from the Site, Sponsor and CRO. It’s time to find out which savvy group can identify the most acronyms and abbreviations commonly used in Clinical Research. Our six categories include: Clinical Trial Operations / GCPs, Study & Site Management, Ethical & Participant Safety Considerations, Data Management, Informatics & Tech, Scientific Concepts & Research Design and Anything Goes! Are you ready to test your Clinical Trials knowledge? To the top group we provide conference bragging rights as to who is more knowledgeable – the Site, the CRO or the Sponsor. Speaker: Suzanne Rose, MS, PhD, CCRC, FACRP, Executive Director of Research, Stamford Hospital
The principles of cultural humility can be summarized by a quote from H. Jackson Brown Jr, “Remember that everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something and has lost something.” Cultural humility means admitting that one does not know and is willing to learn from their research team colleagues and study subjects about their experiences, while being aware of one’s own backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences. This presentation is important for anyone involved in clinical research, to gain insights on how to use cultural humility as a tool to support all members of the research team and enhance their recruitment efforts of diverse study subjects. Speakers: Jessica Fritter, MACPR, ACRP-CP, Associated Faculty, Instructor of Clinical Practice, The Ohio State University; Bashar Shihabuddin, MD, MS, Assistant Professor, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Standing out among the crowd to attract and retain top talent is challenging in today’s rapidly changing and highly competitive labor market. During this session, Brad Sibbald, Senior Vice President, Kelly Science & Clinical, will share five strategies to differentiate your organization. You will learn how to build a stronger employer brand and effectively communicate your unique value proposition, and how to cultivate partnerships that help you tap into a wider pool of top talent. Brad will share expert insights on the critical role of skills development to attract and retain talent, how diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives can create a more welcoming and productive workplace, and how an agile workforce strategy positions your organization to outperform the competition. Speaker: Brad Sibbald, Senior Vice President, Kelly Science & Clinical