ACRP developing competence standards for PIs: 'A major step forward to advance excellence in clinical research'

05-Nov-2018 - Last updated on 05-Nov-2018 at 12:15 GMT

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The Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) is developing competence standards for principal investigators (PIs) as part of its goal to reduce variability in performance across various clinical research roles.

“PIs are ultimately accountable for clinical trial conduct, yet they are operating without clear standards and any kind of uniform training. What they do is frankly too important to leave to a hodgepodge approach,” said Jim Kremidas, ACRP executive director.

“By developing and helping to implement this new PI initiative, ACRP and its partners are taking a major step forward to advance excellence in clinical research,” he told us.

ACRP’s goal is to drive standards that will reduce “the variability in PI and overall site performance and therefore drive higher quality in the industry,” Kremidas added.

ACRP also has developed competence standards for clinical research coordinators (CRC) and clinical research associates (CRA). Earlier this year, the association teamed with the Singapore Clinical Research Institute (SCRI) to increase CRC professionalism in Singapore.

ACRP’s Workforce Innovation Steering Committee (WISC) will lead the most recent initiative. Members include global a range of private and public stakeholders in clinical research.

The association has been validating the PI competence through its Certified Principal Investigator (CPI) certification program since 2001, since which time more than 1,200 PIs have earned the CPI designation.