Clinical Research At The Time Of Covid-19: A Passion Or A Real Job?

Background: During Coronavirus pandemic, public opinion has returned to a great deal of interest in clinical research and the key role of researchers Particularly in Italy, deeply affected by the emergency, people have returned to believe in the work of health professionals and have loudly asked for a profound research effort, a field hitherto suspiciously looked at Yet, until then, few had worried about nation\u0027s big contradictions as the total nonexistence of the profession of the researcher in the National Health System The only effort in the recent years has been a ministerial reform ”Researchers’ pyramid”, a 10 year working path characterized by a 5 year contract, renewable once and with annual reconfirmation exams, with the final hope of recognition within the national health system An initiative that has been the subject of strong contradictions Methods: In September 2019, the Italian Group of Clinical Research Coordinators shared an online survey, meant for the Italian biomedical research personnel, to investigate opinions about the reform Results: The questionnaire was completed by 147 respondents, the majority (53 1%) employed at public research institute or public Hospitals/University/Local Health Company (34 0%) Respondent’s job for the greater part corresponded to a profession included in the “Clinical Research Assistant” (55 1%) and “Clinical Researcher” categories (25 9%) Over half declared to be optimistic regarding the actual benefit of the reform for employment stability Between “not optimistic respondents”, 50% considers Pyramid a false stabilization path Concerns were also expressed in relation to the evaluation criteria, considered too exclusive and often not suitable by a third of the interviewed Many individuals (41 5%) report the poor valorization of personnel and much apprehension was recorded relating to the possibility of extending the reform to other institutes Conclusions: The reform overall seems an important opportunity for entry level personnel, a watered-down compromise for expert professionals The fear conveyed from the great majority of the interviewed is that the pyramid is only a trick When the emergency is over, will institutions finally begin to understand the importance of research? A job, not just a passion Legal entity responsible for the study: Gruppo Italiano Data Manager - CRC Funding: Has not received any funding Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest