Clinical Research Infrastructure in Turkey: a Pilot Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats Analysis

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the infrastructure facilities of clinical trial units in Turkey to create descriptive information and perform a pilot strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats SWOT analysis that describes the strengths to match them with the opportunities and aims to reduce weaknesses and threats. Methods: This study was conducted using the data provided by nine clinical trial units within the scope of a collaboration agreement signed with Turkish Clinical Research Infrastructure Network between April 2013 and December 2016, using a survey created and applied with Google Forms application. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize infrastructure and capacity questions. Mean and median were calculated to interpret the current data. A pilot SWOT analysis was performed to evaluate the clinical research environment in Turkey.Results: The number of clinical trials conducted varied over a wide range among the units. Most trials were conducted in the area of pediatrics, with the least number of trials being conducted in the area of endocrinology. Most units conducted national singlecenter trials with public funds. Physicians were mostly involved in clinical trials, and the number of nonprofessional healthcare personnel was limited. Application to the Ethics Committees and MoH was the most provided service among clinical trials units, where monitoring was the least provided service. None of the units had quality certification. A wide range of evaluations and suggestions concerning the clinical trial environment in Turkey was provided in this pilot SWOT analysis.Conclusion: As these weaknesses and threats with the data, provided by the units, are consistent with the concerns expressed by the national policy makers, suggestions expressed in the survey to improve the clinical research capacity and environment in Turkey should be considered for future actions