ISPCTN Pediatric Clinical Trials Unit

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic, Lebanon NH

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

During the first 2 ECHO cycles, we built a highly functioning pediatric Clinical Trials Unit and integrated it with clinical trials resources within the Dartmouth community and the ISPCTN. This has allowed us to support and expand the pediatric clinical trials portfolio, to recruit investigators to this core, to leverage existing resources and develop new ones, to engage local and multi- center clinical trials, and to foster broad professional development. Our investigative team has contributed substantially to the development, leadership, and protocol design and implementation of the ISPCTN. The organization of our regional presence in the form of the Dartmouth Regional Pediatric Clinical Trials Unit (DRP-CTU) will allow recruitment of a broad pediatric population, including those who are rural and difficult to access. We propose three Specific AIMS: Develop, conduct, and disseminate findings from multicenter clinical trials research, assuring the participation of children from high-risk pediatric populations and those living in rural communities in IDeA states. Our clinical trials team has established links with pediatric/youth-focused specialists throughout the Dartmouth Community. We propose strategies to specifically link with rural and difficult to access communities in the promotion of access to healthcare services. The DRP-CTU proposes a clinical trial - Baby Breathe – which seeks to test the impact of indoor particulate matter on the respiratory health of premature infants at home and to investigate the potential ameliorative effects of HEPA air filtration. This trial builds on existing local and ISPCTN strengths. Build pediatric clinical trial research capacity. We propose to support a minimum of 2 Early-Stage Investigators. We have assembled a multifaceted mentoring team and crafted a Clinical Trials Skills Development Plan utilizing training modules and resources from multiple Dartmouth programs and the ISPCTN. Engage interested parties, especially community members, to enhance ISPCTN clinical trial effectiveness. We propose innovative strategies to partner with community members in the prioritization of research and the development and implementation of trials. To facilitate this, we will partner with the Center for Advancing Rural Health Equity Teams and the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice. This initiative will contribute to all aspects of the ISPCTN and will support professional development of existing and new investigators - stimulating expansion of our portfolio, and offering new opportunities for professional development.