Advanced practice nurses facilitating clinical translational research

Abstract

Background: In 2006, the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA), initiated by the National Center for Research Resources, was launched, with the overall goal to improve human health through clinical translational research. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between thetotal visit length for standardized study visits requiring the services of either a physician colleague or a designated advanced practice nurse (APN) for a protocol conducted in a clinical research center (CRC) supported with CTSA funds. Methods: Data collected for administrative purposes between June 2008 and September 2009 were used. This retrospective study compared the total visit length for the standardized study visits of a single study protocol requiring a gluteal fat biopsy procedure performed by either a physician colleague (an MD in this case) or a CRC-based APN employed by the CRC. Results: During the observed time period, 67 gluteal fat biopsy procedures were performed by one physician colleague, and 33 procedures were performed by one CRC-based APN. The mean total visit length of standardized study visits for research subjects treated by the physician colleague was 192.9±65.8 minutes, whereas the mean total visit length of standardized study visits for research subjects treated by the APN was 154.8±40.9 minutes (P=.003). Generalized least squares random effects regression model further evaluated the association between provider and visit length while controlling for age, gender, percent body fat and physical activity. The type of provider (P