An interdisciplinary approach to research management in anesthesia: the integrated clinical research team model.

The Anesthesia Clinical Research Unit (ACRU) at Boston Children's Hospital developed the integrated clinical research team model in 2009 as a framework to support the high ethical standards and team-based approach in pediatric anesthesia research which was already established within the department. The foundation of the model is built on interdisciplinary collaboration, communication, and integrity in the field of clinical research. Above all, the work of the ACRU is focused on the patients, families and community as a whole. In order to uphold these standards, each member of the ACRU has a clearly-defined role while still promoting the core fundamentals of teamwork and continuity of care. This department-wide, team-based approach to clinical research has proven to be effective in its resourcefulness and productivity in running numerous large projects concurrently within the department.