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Cani E, Tsang JLY, Binnie A, dos Santos CC, Fowler R, Lamontagne F, Mehta S, Liaw PC. Barriers to participation in biosampling-based translational research: A cross-sectional survey of Canadian critical care researchers. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0303304. [PMID: 38758919 PMCID: PMC11101101 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Collection of biosamples for translational research studies is vital for understanding biological pathways, discovering disease-related biomarkers, and identifying novel therapeutic targets. However, a lack of infrastructure for sample procurement, processing, storage, and shipping may hinder the ability of clinical research units to effectively engage in translational research. The purpose of this study was to identify the barriers to biosampling-based translational research in the critical care setting in Canada. METHODS We administered an online survey to members of the Canadian Critical Care Trials Group (CCCTG), the Canadian Critical Care Translational Biology Group (CCCTBG), and the Canadian Critical Care Research Coordinators Group (CCCRCG). The survey focused on participants' personal experience of biosampling research, research infrastructure, motivating factors, and perceived barriers. RESULTS We received 59 responses from 31 sites, including 6 community intensive care unit (ICU) sites. The overall response rate was 11.3%. The majority of respondents were research coordinators (44%), followed by clinician-investigators (33.8%), graduate students (10.2%), and PhD-investigators (8.5%). Although most (63.8%) respondents reported an interest in participating in translational research, they also reported that their ICUs were currently contributing to a third of the number of translational studies compared to clinical studies. For respondents with experience in participating in translational research studies, the most common barriers were lack of funding, lack of time, and insufficient research staff. For respondents without previous experience, the perceived facilitators were more interest from their research group, improved training/mentorship, increased funding, and better access to laboratory equipment. CONCLUSIONS Our survey found that the majority of participants were interested in and recognize the value of participating in biosampling-based translational research but lacked funding, time, and research personnel trained in biosampling protocols. Our survey also identified factors that might encourage participation at new sites. Addressing these barriers will be a key step towards increasing translational research capacity across Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erblin Cani
- Department of Medical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Thrombosis and Atherosclerosis Research Institute, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Jennifer L. Y. Tsang
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Niagara Regional Campus, Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
- Niagara Health, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alexandra Binnie
- Intensive Care Department, William Osler Health System, Etobicoke, ON, Canada
| | - Claudia C. dos Santos
- Keenan Research Center for Biomedical Research, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care and Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Robert Fowler
- Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care, Temerty School of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Francois Lamontagne
- Intensive Care Department, William Osler Health System, Etobicoke, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Division of Critical Care Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Sangeeta Mehta
- Department of Medicine, Sinai Health and Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Patricia C. Liaw
- Thrombosis and Atherosclerosis Research Institute, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Giri J, Pezzi L, Cachay R, Gèlvez Ramirez RM, Tami A, Bethencourt S, Lozano A, Gotuzzo Herencia JE, Poje J, Jaenisch T, Chu M. Specimen sharing for epidemic preparedness: Building a virtual biorepository system from local governance to global partnerships. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0001568. [PMID: 37819913 PMCID: PMC10566708 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
We present a framework for a federated, virtual biorepository system (VBS) with locally collected and managed specimens, as a 'global public good' model based on principles of equitable access and benefit sharing. The VBS is intended to facilitate timely access to biological specimens and associated data for outbreak-prone infectious diseases to accelerate the development and evaluation of diagnostics, assess vaccine efficacy, and to support surveillance and research needs. The VBS is aimed to be aligned with the WHO BioHub and other specimen sharing efforts as a force multiplier to meet the needs of strengthening global tools for countering epidemics. The purpose of our initial research is to lay the basis of the collaboration, management and principles of equitable sharing focused on low- and middle-income country partners. Here we report on surveys and interviews undertaken with biorepository-interested parties to better understand needs and barriers for specimen access and share examples from the ZIKAlliance partnership on the governance and operations of locally organized biorepositories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Giri
- Center for Global Health, Colorado School of Public Health, Anschutz Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Laura Pezzi
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE: Aix-Marseille Univ-IRD 190-Inserm 1207), Marseille, France
| | - Rodrigo Cachay
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, San Martín de Porres, Lima, Peru
| | | | - Adriana Tami
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Departamento de Parasitología, Universidad de Carabobo, Valencia, Venezuela
| | - Sarah Bethencourt
- Departamento de Estudios Clínicos-Department of Clinical Studies, Universidad de Carabobo, Valencia, Venezuela
| | - Anyela Lozano
- Centro de Investigaciones Epidemiológicas, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucamaranga, Colombia
| | - José Eduardo Gotuzzo Herencia
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, San Martín de Porres, Lima, Peru
| | - Julia Poje
- Center for Global Health, Colorado School of Public Health, Anschutz Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Thomas Jaenisch
- Center for Global Health, Colorado School of Public Health, Anschutz Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - May Chu
- Center for Global Health, Colorado School of Public Health, Anschutz Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
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Improving quality and efficiency of translational research: Environmental scan of adaptive capacity and preparedness of Clinical and Translational Science Award Program hubs. J Clin Transl Sci 2023; 7:e42. [PMID: 36845300 PMCID: PMC9947616 DOI: 10.1017/cts.2022.423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Translational science is, by definition, groundbreaking; however, without an emphasis on quality and efficiency, some innovations in healthcare may translate into unnecessary risk, suboptimal solutions, and potentially loss of well-being and even lives. The COVID-19 pandemic and the Clinical and Translational Sciences Award Consortium's response created an opportunity for quality and efficiency to be better defined, expediently and thoughtfully addressed, and further studied as central foundations in the translational science mission. This paper presents findings of an environmental scan of adaptive capacity and preparedness to illuminate the assets, institutional environment, knowledge, and forward-looking decision-making needed to optimize and sustain research quality and efficiency.
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Volkov BB, Ragon B, Holmes K, Samuels E, Walden A, Herzog K. Leadership and administration to advance translational science: Environmental scan of adaptive capacity and preparedness of Clinical and Translational Science Award Program hubs. J Clin Transl Sci 2022; 7:e6. [PMID: 36755532 PMCID: PMC9879905 DOI: 10.1017/cts.2022.409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 reinforced the need for effective leadership and administration within Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) program hubs in response to a public health crisis. The speed, scale, and persistent evolution of the pandemic forced CTSA hubs to act quickly and remain nimble. The switch to virtual environments paired with supporting program operations, while ensuring the safety and well-being of their team, highlight the critical support role provided by leadership and administration. The pandemic also illustrated the value of emergency planning in supporting organizations' ability to quickly pivot and adapt. Lessons learned from the pandemic and from other cases of adaptive capacity and preparedness can aid program hubs in promoting and sustaining the overall capabilities of their organizations to prepare for future events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris B. Volkov
- University of Minnesota, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Institute for Health Informatics and Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Bart Ragon
- Integrated Translational Health Research Institute of Virginia, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Kristi Holmes
- Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (NUCATS), Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Elias Samuels
- Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Anita Walden
- Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Keith Herzog
- Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (NUCATS), Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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Ragon B, Volkov BB, Pulley C, Holmes K. Using informatics to advance translational science: Environmental scan of adaptive capacity and preparedness of Clinical and Translational Science Award Program hubs. J Clin Transl Sci 2022; 6:e76. [PMID: 35836790 PMCID: PMC9274387 DOI: 10.1017/cts.2022.402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
As the USA and the rest of the world raced to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, years of investments from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences allowed for informatics services and resources at CTSA hubs to play a significant role in addressing the crisis. CTSA hubs partnered with local and regional partners to collect data on the pandemic, provide access to relevant patient data, and produce data dashboards to support decision-making. Coordinated efforts, like the National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C), helped to aggregate and harmonize clinical data nationwide. Even with significant informatics investments, some CTSA hubs felt unprepared in their ability to respond to the fast-moving public health crisis. Many hubs were forced to quickly evolve to meet local needs. Informatics teams expanded critical support at their institutions which included an engagement platform for clinical research, COVID-19 awareness and education activities in the community, and COVID-19 data dashboards. Continued investments in informatics resources will aid in ensuring that tools, resources, practices, and policies are aligned to meet local and national public health needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart Ragon
- Integrated Translational Health Research Institute of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Boris B. Volkov
- University of Minnesota Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Institute for Health Informatics and Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Chris Pulley
- University of Minnesota Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Kristi Holmes
- Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
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Volkov BB, Ragon B, Doyle JM, Bredella MA. Adaptive capacity and preparedness of Clinical and Translational Science Award Program hubs: Overview of an environmental scan. J Clin Transl Sci 2022; 7:e31. [PMID: 36845304 PMCID: PMC9947610 DOI: 10.1017/cts.2022.400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability of research networks and individual institutions to effectively and efficiently prepare, respond, and adapt to emergent challenges is essential for the biomedical research enterprise. At the beginning of 2021, a special Working Group was formed by individuals in the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) consortium and approved by the CTSA Steering Committee to explore "Adaptive Capacity and Preparedness (AC&P) of CTSA Hubs." The AC&P Working Group took a pragmatic Environmental Scan (E-Scan) approach of utilizing the diverse data that had been collected through existing mechanisms. The Local Adaptive Capacity framework was adapted to illustrate the interconnectedness of CTSA programs and services, while exposing how the demands of the pandemic forced them to quickly pivot and adapt. This paper presents a synopsis of the themes and lessons learned that emerged from individual sections of the E-Scan. Lessons learned from this study may improve our understanding of adaptive capacity and preparedness at different levels, as well as help strengthen the core service models, strategies, and foster innovation in clinical and translational science research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris B. Volkov
- University of Minnesota Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Institute for Health Informatics, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Bart Ragon
- integrated Translational Health Research Institute of Virginia, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Jamie Mihoko Doyle
- Division of Clinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Miriam A. Bredella
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Catalyst, The Harvard Clinical and Translational Science Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Ragan EJ, McCallum C, Marathe J, Cole M, Hofman M, Henderson AJ, Flack T, Miller NS, Burks EJ, Zhao GQ, Denis R, Lin NH, Jacobson KR, Andry CD, Pelton SI, Duffy ER, Bhadelia N. Pandemic Response Requires Research Samples: A U.S. Safety-Net Hospital's Experience and Call for National Action. Ann Intern Med 2021; 174:1727-1732. [PMID: 34724402 DOI: 10.7326/m21-2857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Biorepositories provide a critical resource for gaining knowledge of emerging infectious diseases and offer a mechanism to rapidly respond to outbreaks; the emergence of the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has proved their importance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the absence of centralized, national biorepository efforts meant that the onus fell on individual institutions to establish sample repositories. As a safety-net hospital, Boston Medical Center (BMC) recognized the importance of creating a COVID-19 biorepository to both support critical science at BMC and ensure representation in research for its urban patient population, most of whom are from underserved communities. This article offers a realistic overview of the authors' experience in establishing this biorepository at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic during the height of the first surge of cases in Boston, Massachusetts, with the hope that the challenges and solutions described are useful to other institutions. Going forward, funders, policymakers, and infectious disease and public health communities must support biorepository implementation as an essential element of future pandemic preparedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth J Ragan
- Section of Infectious Diseases and Research Operations, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts (E.J.R.)
| | - Caitryn McCallum
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Boston Medical Center, and Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases Policy and Research, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts (C.M.)
| | - Jai Marathe
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts (J.M., N.H.L., K.R.J.)
| | - Manisha Cole
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts (M.C., N.S.M., E.J.B., G.Q.Z.)
| | - Melissa Hofman
- Clinical Data Warehouse, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts (M.H.)
| | - Andrew J Henderson
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Boston Medical Center, and Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (A.J.H.)
| | - Tyler Flack
- Research Operations, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts (T.F.)
| | - Nancy S Miller
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts (M.C., N.S.M., E.J.B., G.Q.Z.)
| | - Eric J Burks
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts (M.C., N.S.M., E.J.B., G.Q.Z.)
| | - Grace Qing Zhao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts (M.C., N.S.M., E.J.B., G.Q.Z.)
| | - Ridiane Denis
- General Clinical Research Unit, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts (R.D.)
| | - Nina H Lin
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts (J.M., N.H.L., K.R.J.)
| | - Karen R Jacobson
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts (J.M., N.H.L., K.R.J.)
| | - Christopher D Andry
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston Medical Center, and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (C.D.A., E.R.D.)
| | - Stephen I Pelton
- Section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Boston University Medical Center, Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, and Maxwell Finland Laboratory for Infectious Diseases, Boston, Massachusetts (S.I.P.)
| | - Elizabeth R Duffy
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston Medical Center, and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (C.D.A., E.R.D.)
| | - Nahid Bhadelia
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Boston Medical Center, and Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases Policy and Research and National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts (N.B.)
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Flume PA, Berbari EF, Viera L, Hess R, Higgins J, Armstrong J, Rice L, True L, Shaker R, Buse JB, Panettieri RA. Managing the risks and benefits of clinical research in response to a pandemic. J Clin Transl Sci 2021; 5:e105. [PMID: 35757679 PMCID: PMC9201876 DOI: 10.1017/cts.2021.14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) created major disruptions at academic centers and healthcare systems globally. Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) fund hubs supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences provideinfrastructure and leadership for clinical and translational research at manysuch institutions. Methods We surveyed CTSA hubs and received responses from 94% of them regarding the impact of the pandemic and the processes employed for the protection of research personnel and participants with respect to the conduct of research, specifically for studies unrelated to COVID-19. Results In this report, we describe the results of the survey findings in the context of the current understanding of disease transmission and mitigation techniques. Conclusions We reflect on common practices and provide recommendations regarding lessons learned that will be relevant to future pandemics, particularly with regards to staging the cessation and resumption of research activities with an aim to keep the workforce, research participants, and our communities safe in future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick A. Flume
- Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | | | - Laura Viera
- Clinical Research Support Office, North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Rachel Hess
- Departments of Medicine and Population Health Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Janine Higgins
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jennifer Armstrong
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Linda Rice
- Center for Clinical and Translational Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Laura True
- Center for Clinical and Translational Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Reza Shaker
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - John B. Buse
- Clinical Research Support Office, North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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