Investigator- and site-level outcomes of participation in an ED-based clinical trial [commentary].

Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) typically report patient-oriented outcomes. However, site engagement in RCTs requires substantial investment in personnel, training, and institutional resources, which may have lasting effects on personnel and institutional culture. Additionally, engagement in research has been associated with improved health care performance at the institutional level, including in prior studies at substance use treatment centers within the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Clinical Trials Network (CTN). Nonetheless, little has been reported about downstream effects of site participation for emergency department (ED)-based studies, including investigator professional advancements and institution-wide improvements in clinical practice. This commentary piece describes individual- and site-level benefits associated with participation in the Emergency Department-Initiated Buprenorphine and Validation Network Trial (ED-INNOVATION, CTN-0099).

Related protocols: CTN-0099