Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology, University of Nottingham, King's Meadow Campus, Lenton Lane, Nottingham NG7 2NR, UK.
Trials. 2011 Jun 16;12:153. doi: 10.1186/1745-6215-12-153.
Following the successful introduction of five topic-specific research networks in the UK, the Comprehensive Local Research Network (CLRN) was established in 2008 in order to provide a blanket level of support across the whole country regardless of the clinical discipline. The role of the CLRN was to facilitate recruitment into clinical trials, and to encourage greater engagement in research throughout the National Health Service (NHS).
This report evaluates the impact of clinical research networks in supporting clinical trials in the UK, with particular reference to our experiences from two non-commercial dermatology trials. It covers our experience of engaging with the CLRN (and other research networks) using two non-commercial dermatology trials as case studies. We present the circumstances that led to our approach to the research networks for support, and the impact that this support had on the delivery of these trials.
In both cases, recruitment was boosted considerably following the provision of additional support, although other factors such as the availability of experienced personnel, and the role of advertising and media coverage in promoting the trials were also important in translating this additional resource into increased recruitment.
Recruitment into clinical trials is a complex task that can be influenced by many factors. A world-class clinical research infrastructure is now in place in England (with similar support available in Scotland and Wales), and it is the responsibility of the research community to ensure that this unique resource is used effectively and responsibly.
在英国成功引入五个专题研究网络之后，综合地方研究网络（CLRN）于 2008 年成立，旨在为全国范围内的所有临床学科提供全面的支持。CLRN 的作用是促进临床试验的招募，并鼓励国民保健服务（NHS）更广泛地参与研究。
本报告评估了临床研究网络在支持英国临床试验方面的影响，特别参考了我们在两个非商业性皮肤病试验中的经验。它涵盖了我们使用两个非商业性皮肤病试验作为案例研究，与 CLRN（和其他研究网络）合作的经验。我们介绍了导致我们向研究网络寻求支持的情况，以及这种支持对这些试验的实施产生的影响。
在这两种情况下，提供额外的支持后，招募工作都有了显著的提升，尽管其他因素，如经验丰富的人员的可用性，以及广告和媒体报道在推广试验中的作用，也在将这种额外的资源转化为更多的招募方面发挥了重要作用。
临床试验的招募是一项复杂的任务，可能受到许多因素的影响。目前，英格兰已经建立了世界一流的临床研究基础设施（苏格兰和威尔士也有类似的支持），研究界有责任确保有效地、负责任地利用这一独特的资源。
