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A Resource-Based Relative Value for Clinical Research Nurses’ Workload

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Abstract

Background

This study was conducted to measure the relative value (RV) of clinical research nurses’ (CRNs’) workload based on the resource-based relative value scale.

Methods

A quantitative, descriptive research design was used. Data were collected from 70 CRNs in 7 clinical trial institutions using a structured questionnaire including time, technical effort, mental effort, and stress for each service. The RV of work (RVW) of each service was calculated by multiplying time and relative value of intensity based on “explaining the informed consent” as the reference service.

Results

The CRNs’ RVW was the highest in “preparing auditing” and the lowest in “paying compensation” among 55 services. Ten services showed higher RV intensity than the reference service, 26 services were lower, and 18 services were equal to the reference service. While the service that showed the highest and lowest RVW was the same in 3 specialties (oncology, cardiology, and endocrinology), the rank of the other services was not consistent by specialty.

Conclusion

The RVW derived from this study makes it easy to calculate each CRN’s total workload, so we recommend that the managers use RVW to assign the new services or studies to a certain CRN. And, we also recommend future studies using an objective method such as observations to calculate the time of each service.

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Correspondence to Ihn Sook Jeong PhD, MPH, RN.

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Lee, S., Jeong, I.S. A Resource-Based Relative Value for Clinical Research Nurses’ Workload. Ther Innov Regul Sci 52, 313–320 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1177/2168479017731585

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