The NCRI Clinical Studies Groups (CSGs) bring together clinicians, scientists, statisticians and lay representatives to coordinate development of a strategic portfolio of trials within their field. A central part of this coordination is the portfolio map.
What are the NCRI CSG portfolio maps?
The NCRI CSG portfolio maps are a visual representation of the studies within the portfolio of each CSG that are either preparing to open for recruitment or are actively recruiting. The number of maps used by each CSG depends on the number of studies in the Group’s portfolio e.g. the Breast Cancer CSG has seven maps that provide an overview of the 120 studies currently open or in the set-up phase in its portfolio.
Why are they useful?
As well as helping each of the CSGs plan and manage their research activity, they are an effective means of providing a synopsis of cancer studies in the NIHR portfolio; revealing which areas of clinical research in cancer are currently well represented, and where there may be gaps.
What information do they give about clinical studies?
Each portfolio map categorises studies by study type (e.g. whether the study is investigating a certain type of treatment or if it’s looking at ways to prevent or diagnose a cancer) and cancer sub-type. They have also recently been updated with additional information, such as how a study has been developed and whether it is funded by academia, industry or partnerships, to provide further strategic overview.
More in-depth information can also be obtained – each study listed on the map is hyperlinked to their profile on the NIHR database, which gives details such as inclusion and exclusion criteria, recruitment status and key study contacts.
Accessing the portfolio maps
The portfolio maps are updated monthly and are publicly available on the NCRI CSG website. They are also uploaded to the NIHR portal, where research network managers can access editable versions and modify the maps to help them track the studies in their local network.
►NCRI CSG portfolio maps (NCRI webpage)