Clinical Research Training CourseThe overall goal of the Research Training Course was to address a gap in both knowledge and skills in clinical research for child health researchers at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).
The specific goals of the course were to:
- Increase participant knowledge in conducting clinical research
- Develop participant skill through practical application of knowledge
- Enhance potential for proposals for submission to a research granting agency
Prior to opening the course for application, an information session for all interested HMC staff was delivered in March 2012. Applicants to attend the course were selected by the SickKids Selection Committee. The highest ranking 15 applicants, who completed all of the application requirements, were accepted into the training program. All of the participants were HMC staff involved in or planning to conduct child health research. These included physicians, nurses, occupational therapists and orthotics. The course was delivered as two classroom sessions per month followed by additional one-on-one sessions with the SickKids Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). The course was delivered over a period of six months, from June to December. Customization of the curriculum was incorporated based on feedback received from the previous research trainees.
The 2nd research training course accepted 15 trainees (via competitive submission of a Letter of Intent) into a six month course (two days per month). It covered aspects of clinical research from the development of a research question to literature searches, statistical design and methods, data management, ethics, budgets and research team development. The course was successful and planning for subsequent courses is underway.
