Clinical Research focus

January's CRfocus supplement has been cancelled due to weather disruption either side of the Christmas break. The first issue of 2010 will be published early in February. Apologies for any problems this might cause.

This issue

February's issue of CRfocus looks in detail at an area where the UK is acknowledged as a world leader: Health Technology Assessment and the broader field of health economics. Alan Jones provides his regular report and insights into the NICE Annual Conference.

We also interview Prof. David Edwards, Associate Director of the Medicines for Children Research Network (MCRN) and recipient of the Arvo Ylppö Quinquennial International Award for Neonatology, discussing the misconception that neonatal research is unusually difficult and the key differences in how neonatal services are arranged in the NHS compared with more general paediatric services.

Also in this issue, Lucy Ball describes her route into a career in clinical trial project management via a specific project support route, rather than the more traditional CRA route, and Michelle Noble summarises the variety of networking events and joint conferences for the ICR community taking place over the next few months.

Last issue

In December's issue of CRfocus, we take our seasonal look into the future of clinical research, with expert professionals and commentators sharing their aspirations and expectations for 2010. ICR Chair Janette Benaddi and CRfocus Editor Andrew Smith also look back on what has been a tough year for pretty much everybody in our sector, but still manage to pick out some highlights for ICR and for our profession as a whole. Completing our look back on 2009, we provide an index of all the articles we've published during the year.
 
Also in this issue, we interview David Gillen of Pfizer on the role of medics in pharma, the growing importance of health technology assessment and how UK clinical research should become more specialised; Danielle Jacobs reports on last month's ICR Freelance Forum, the GCP Forum discuss how to handle the partner of a research participant becoming pregnant, the CTA Special Interest Group launch a new manual for clinical trial administrators, and Catherine Gutsell presents the results of a survey of employee confidence, following up on a similar survey conducted earlier this year.
 
And to end the year with a smile, our regular "It's not all work, work, work..." page presents Christmas carols adapted for use by clinical research professionals and “Ten things we wouldn’t want to receive from Secret Santa at the departmental Christmas Party”!

About CRfocus

Clinical Research focus (CRfocus) is ICR's peer-reviewed journal, published every month. CRfocus publishes authoritative articles to keep readers up to date with best practice, and develop their careers. Members of ICR receive CRfocus free of charge; non-members can subscribe for £135 per year