In our constant pursuit of clinical excellence, Mars Veterinary Health recognizes that veterinary science and research are optimized when we leverage the diverse skills and valuable contributions of veterinary team members across the spectrum of clinical roles – just as pet health outcomes are enhanced through a collaborative, team-based approach.
A new article in the American Journal of Veterinary Research (AJVR) by Talon McKee, BSc, CVT, MPVM, and Senior Manager, Clinical Studies at Mars Veterinary Health, validates that the positive impact of veterinary technicians and nurses in clinical research remains largely untapped. The paper offers strategies to empower these essential members of every veterinary team, with emphasis on clinical trials. It examines parallels with human medicine where daily activities associated with clinical trials are carried out by a role known as Clinical Research Coordinators (CRCs), to achieve efficient and effective clinical studies.
Recognizing this, Mars Veterinary Health recently launched a formal program welcoming veterinary technicians, nurses, and assistants into the role of Clinical Study Site Coordinators (CSSC) to help drive local coordination, engagement, and enrollment efforts for clinical studies across our clinics around the globe—including the MARS PETCARE BIOBANK™, a pioneering real-world study to better understand and improve pet health. In this role, CSSCs assist with data collection, protocol adherence, point-of-contact communications, and troubleshooting of local issues at their respective clinics. They also proactively identify eligible patients for active clinical studies, help guide participants through study procedures and visits, and uphold ethical research conduct.
“The Clinical Studies Site Coordinator program plays a pivotal role in our foundational efforts to build a world-class global clinical studies engine across our global connected health network,” said Dottie Brown, MS, DVM, DACVS, Vice President of Science and Healthcare Innovation. “Veterinary technicians and nurses will continue to play a role in this program and in veterinary science and research more broadly, helping grow and shape the future of veterinary research and clinical excellence at Mars Veterinary Health and beyond.”
Just like in human health, clinical studies are essential to develop new therapeutics and diagnostics that help advance veterinary care. By applying a similar approach in veterinary medicine, we can drive advancements in research and quality care, while strengthening support for new career pathways – ultimately enhancing retention and engagement.
“Veterinary technicians and nurses possess the expertise to provide a critical perspective on patient care within clinical research, and there are ways we can help empower them to contribute in new and valuable ways,” said McKee, who is a member of the Mars Veterinary Health Medical Affairs Science Team. “We have an opportunity to learn from human medicine, where studies have found that the addition of a coordinator to a research team significantly improves subject recruitment numbers, retention rates, patient outcomes, efficiency, and quality of studies.”
Veterinary technicians and nurses across our globally-connected network, including AniCura, Banfield, BluePearl, Linnaeus, and VCA, regularly contribute to scientific discovery across the spectrum of care—from wellness and preventive to specialty and emergency—and are valuable members of our Medical Affairs Science Team.
“At Mars Veterinary Health, we recognize the valuable role our technicians and nurses play in veterinary science and thus high-quality care,” said Dr. Brown. “We provide ongoing training and opportunities to participate in veterinary research and clinical studies across our globally connected care network to advance veterinary medicine and pet health—and to foster a thriving future for veterinary professionals.”
Learn about our veterinary science approach here, and read more about our Clinical Studies Site Coordinator Program in the inaugural Mars Veterinary Health Science Impact Report.
Watch our video celebrating the vital role of veterinary technicians across our global care network.
