Coordinator Support
The clinical research coordinators support funded and non-funded research by YDR faculty in the Division of Clinical Radiology, primarily through project support, radiology report retrieval, database design, and statistical support. Radiology report retrieval for education purposes is also supported. Requests for coordinator support must be by application through the YDR Clinical Research Committee.
Clinical Research Project Support
Clinical research projects supported include prospective or retrospective studies with YDR faculty investigators that deal with imaging. Prospective studies include patient or volunteer trials of new drugs, imaging agents or imaging procedures.
The Clinical Research Coordinators will provide comprehensive support for multiple aspects of a research project, once such a project has been approved by the YDR Clinical Research Committee. To get a project approved, it is necessary to fill out and submit the “YDR Clinical Research Support Request Form,” along with submitted or approved HIC** documents, to the Clinical Research Coordinator. Following this, a preliminary meeting may be scheduled with the coordinator, director, or a member of the YDR clinical research committee. Additional meetings with YDR administration or faculty may be required before department support is pledged.
The Clinical Research Coordinator will be able to offer support in the following areas of a research project:
- Study Design and Initial Planning
- Preparing, Submitting and Facilitating the application for HIC (IRB) approval**
- Submitting and Facilitating Contract Negotiations
- Hosting Site Visits from Study Sponsors
- Preparing Recruitment Materials and Recruiting Subjects
- Arranging for Nursing Staff if required
- Overseeing Imaging Procedures to ensure adherence to protocol
- Maintaining Study Data Records
- Assisting in Study Monitoring
- Providing Statistical and Database Assistance for Analysis of Study Records
**HIC form does not need to be submitted with YDR Clinical Research Support Request Form if you are requesting help with preparing the HIC document.
Radiology information data retrieval
Clinical data from YNHH imaging reports from 1986 to the present studies can retrieved, if recorded in the IDXrad system or its archives. A data retrieval request should include the criteria to be looked for (e.g. all CT cervical spine studies that contain the word “fracture”), the period of interest (“the last 2 years”), the data fields of interest (age, sex, type of exam etc.) and the type of data required. Retrieved data can be supplied to the requestor as a document list of diagnostic reports in either a spreadsheet or word-processor format. In rare cases a full-fledged database format may be required to fully analyze the data.
To make a data request, please fill out the “IDXrad Data Retrieval Form.” All retrieval requests must have HIC approval, unless this is for educational purposes. There is a fee of $200 per request for non-YDR faculty in order to support this activity. Data retrieval may take 1-2 weeks.
Database Design
For complex projects, lists maintained in a spreadsheet may be inadequate to the study aims. In such a case, a database may have to be set up. The Clinical Research Coordinator can set up a database and assist or train the researcher in obtaining the data view that is required. Supported programs include Filemaker Pro, Microsoft Access and Fourth Dimension.
Statistical Analysis and Presentation
Elementary statistical analysis (e.g. choosing and employing the appropriate test of significance etc.) will be available. The data can be graphed and presented in the manner required to best bring out the results or conclusions.
More in-depth statistical help is available through core resources at Yale:
