Developing Clinical Research Unit in National Respiratory Center Hospital

Abstract

Background: Persahabatan Hospital, Indonesia’s National Respiratory Center, has strategically aligned its clinical and research missions to advance evidence-based respiratory care. In accordance with the 2020–2024 strategic plan, the hospital established a Clinical Research Unit (CRU) as part of its transformation into a center of innovation and ethical scientific excellence. This article provides a narrative review of the establishment, governance, operational framework, and strategic development of the CRU at Persahabatan Hospital, highlighting its role in strengthening national and international research collaboration.

Methods: Data were obtained from official regulatory and institutional documents, including Law No. 17 of 2023 on Health, Minister of Health Decree No. HK.01.07/Menkes/1458/2023, Director General Decree No. HK.02.02/D/1782/2025, and the Organizational Structure and Work Procedures (SOTK) of the CRU Persahabatan Hospital. Additional data were drawn from the hospital’s official website and recent academic literature, including Wang et al. (2025) in Systematic Reviews, which examines the impact of Clinical Research Units on institutional research quality and productivity. All sources were reviewed descriptively to identify key themes related to CRU establishment, governance, operational structure, and its contribution to clinical research advancement.

Conclusion: The establishment of the CRU at Persahabatan Hospital represents a milestone in institutionalizing research governance and fostering innovation in respiratory medicine. The CRU’s structure integrates administrative, ethical, and scientific oversight through three core subunits, Administration, Implementation, and Monitoring, to ensure regulatory compliance and data integrity. Collaboration with national networks such as the Indonesia Clinical Research Center (INA-CRC) and adherence to Good Clinical Practice (GCP) principles have strengthened research coordination and enabled participation in multicenter studies. Consistent with findings from Wang et al. (2025), the CRU’s presence has enhanced research efficiency, data quality, and investigator engagement, positioning Persahabatan Hospital as a credible contributor to both national and international research efforts.