An Assessment of Clinical Research Self-Efficacy among Researchers at the Largest Healthcare Institute in Qatar: Recommendations and Future Actions.

OBJECTIVES: Clinical research professionals must be equipped with adequate training in sound scientific methods and appropriate ethics. In this study, we aimed to assess the current clinical research self-efficacy of researchers at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC). We also evaluated the effects of training courses on researchers' self-efficacy. METHODS: Utilizing a cross-sectional design, we used the shortened Clinical Research Appraisal Inventory (CRAI-12) through an online survey to assess the current clinical research self-efficacy of 600 researchers at HMC, Doha, Qatar. After conducting descriptive analyses, unpaired t test and ANOVA were used to determine significant mean percentages between variables. Pearson correlation coefficients were also calculated to measure the association among the interval variables. All tests were 2-sided, and significance was defined as P < .05. RESULTS: For all questions, except those related to "funding," most participants scored on the upper half of the scale (>5), reflecting higher self-efficacy for the topics covered in CRAI. Gender differences were significant across all factors, with males reporting higher levels of self-assessed efficacy and in clinical research. Other factors such as higher education degrees and previous (external) clinical research training were also associated with higher self-reported clinical research efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study indicate that researchers at HMC possess high clinical research self-efficacy overall, but lower self-efficacy in securing funding. Gender and education level positively influence self-efficacy across CRAI factors. Notably, clinical research training boosts self-efficacy, especially when obtained outside HMC. In conclusion, healthcare providers are strongly encouraged to engage in effective clinical research training courses, both within and outside of their healthcare institutions, to improve their clinical research efficacy and enhance clinical practice.

Consentimiento informado en niños y jóvenes. Una introducción / Informed Consent in children and young people. An Introduction

Se pretende aquí dar un vistazo general a los aspectos éticos del examen y manejo de los menores en relación a su participación en la toma de decisiones : se abordan los aspectos de mayor interés, consentimiento y rechazo en cuanto a brindar servicios de salud a niños y adolescentes. Por consiguiente se discutirá más precisamente la situación controversial en la que se presenta un choque de opiniones acerca del tratamiento en menores como por ejemplo el hacérles exámenes médicos. Finalmente se aborda el tópico del consentimiento en el contexto de la investigación clínica.