Investigator Initiated Research

Investigator Initiated Research  

The Reading Hospital and Medical Center wishes to support a spirit of clinical inquiry, which is key to providing the highest level of care to the patients it serves. Support exists to facilitate investigators in their research efforts. In addition, the Academic Affairs Office is facilitating collaborative research studies between the Hospital and partner organizations, including our principal affiliate, Thomas Jefferson University.

Potential investigators must meet expectations to assure the highest level of safe, effective research inquiry.

Resources:

1. Research Unit

a. A grant writer and biostatistician are available to support the investigator’s efforts. 
b. Clinical research nurses – The research unit offers support from clinical
research nurses who have been trained in the details of research investigation
c.  Research technician and software – The research unit offer support for data entry and analysis using SPSS software

2.  Funds for Research – The organization offers funds on a competitive basis for  investigators in order to support small projects.  A yearly fund of approximately $40,000 is available for individual requests up to $10,000. Research requests will be rated on their potential to benefit care of patients in the community, to support niche programs, and to provide preliminary data and experience in support of future grant requests. 

3. Research Advisory Council (RAC) – RAC is a resource to investigators who wish informal review of ideas, in support of research study development.

Investigators who wish support from such resources should contact the Chief Academic Officer (georged@readinghospital.org) for further details.

Expectations: All research  investigators are expected to do the following:

1. Complete NIH Protection of Human Subjects Certification (see Links)

2. Principal investigator is committed to taking responsibility for oversight of research project

3. Meet expectations of the Research Advisory Committee (RAC). RAC provides formal review of research projects and advises the Institutional Review Board (IRB) no scientific rigor of the proposed study. RAC approval is required before IRB review.

4. Meet expectations of IRB review, as per federal regulation.  (See IRB Section)

5. Regular completion of Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) is highlyrecommended.  (Contact Chief Academic Officer for further details)