I think it doesn’t depend on the role you are taking in the clinical research, having a clinical background will always be a plus for all the roles. However, the necessity of the clinical background is more important, or in other words it is required to have a clinical background, once you are dealing directly with patients. If you have that background, you can determine the progress of the patients, and if this specific patient has a certain health situation that will result huge sides effects caused by the tested treatments. Looking at it from the hiring point of view, you should have a background in nursing, or scientific research in order to get a job in clinical research. Now, if you background is in art and literature, there is little you can do to qualify for a job in CR unless you have a minor in science that might help you get into a good training program.