Clinical Trials Resources

Wilma Templin-Branner, M.S., Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Ms. Wilma Templin-Branner demonstrated the electronic Clinical Trial Resource Guide, which provides clinical researchers and other health professionals with information about the clinical trials resources of NIAID and other Federal agencies and private organizations. The information in the guide can help investigators to identify and retain individuals in clinical trials, particularly individuals in minority groups. Ms. Templin-Branner also demonstrated a sampling of the Web sites and databases included in the resource guide that can be used to (1) identify relevant clinical trials, (2) identify human subject policies, (3) obtain information about funding sources and mechanisms, and (4) learn how to prepare successful grant applications.

The mini-CD includes topics that range from appropriate human subjects policies to clinical trials databases, a race and ethnicity bibliography, cultural competence in health care, diversity in clinical trials, funding, general clinical trials Web sites, HIV/AIDS clinical trials Web sites, PubMed, resources for diversity in clinical trials, and women's health. Each of the topics on the CD is linked to Internet resources that are considered the most inclusive and reliable sites on the topics. The sites were compiled by the Office of Special Populations and Research Training, the symposium steering committee, the symposium speakers, and the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education. Ms. Templin-Branner asked symposium participants to e-mail her other sites that should be included (templinw@orau.gov).

Ms. Templin-Branner pointed out some of the information available on each of the topics, including factsheets and order forms, computer-based training, ethical guidelines, journal articles, a grant application tutorial, and an HIV/AIDS database. She emphasized that the Resource Guide is intended to be as comprehensive and inclusive as possible in presenting information on increasing diversity in clinical trials, finding information on specific populations, and attracting and retaining minorities in clinical trials. She demonstrated a search in PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov.