• Ellen McDonald, Nicole Zytaruk, Diane Heels-Ansdell, Orla Smith, Debbie Borges, Lori Hand, France Clarke, Aussama Nassar, Michael Bennardo, Deborah Cook, and Canadian Critical Care Research Coordinators’ Group.
• Ellen McDonald is a critical care research coordinator, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, and Thrombosis and Atherosclerosis Research Institute, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; she is currently a national platform research coordinator with the Canadian Critical Care Trials Group, Montreal, Canada.
• Am. J. Crit. Care. 2020 Jan 1; 29 (1): 41-48.

BackgroundCritical care research coordinators implement study protocols in intensive care units, yet little is known about their experiences.ObjectiveTo identify the responsibilities, stressors, motivators, and job satisfaction of critical care research coordinators in Canada.MethodsResponses to a self-administered survey were collected in order to identify and understand factors that motivate and stress research coordinators and enhance their job satisfaction. Items were generated in 5 domains (demographics, job responsibilities, stressors, motivators, and satisfaction). Face validity pretesting was conducted and clinical sensibility was evaluated. Items were rated on 5-point Likert scales. Descriptive analyses were used to report results.ResultsThe response rate was 78% (66 of 85). Most critical care research coordinators (71%) were employed full time; they were engaged in 9 studies (7 academic, 2 industry); and 49% were nurses. Of 30 work responsibilities, the most frequently cited were submitting ethics applications (89%), performing data entry (89%), and attending meetings (87%). Highest-rated stressors were unrealistic workload and weekend/holiday screening; highest-rated motivators were a positive work environment and team spirit. Overall, 26% were "very satisfied" and 53% were "satisfied" with their jobs.ConclusionsCritical care research coordinators in Canada indicate that, despite significant work responsibilities, they are satisfied with their jobs thanks to positive work environments and team spirit.©2020 American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.

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