The planning of a clinical trials workshop

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Clinical Research Methodology
• Simulation-Based Learning

Background:

• Effective training in clinical trial design is crucial for medical professionals.
• Traditional methods may not fully capture the complexities and practical challenges of clinical trials.
• A need exists for interactive and safe learning environments to develop clinical trial expertise.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the planning and execution of a Clinical Trials Workshop.
• To evaluate the utility of a computerized simulation ('Instant Experience') for training in clinical trial protocol development.
• To highlight the practical and theoretical aspects of clinical trials through a simulated exercise.

Main Methods:

• A workshop format involving small student groups (6-7) guided by experienced tutors.
• Utilizing a computerized simulation ('Instant Experience') to generate trial outcomes based on student-designed protocols.
• Incorporating group discussions for protocol development and results analysis.

Main Results:

• The simulation effectively emphasizes practical and theoretical problems in clinical trial design.
• Group discussions facilitate valuable information exchange during protocol development and analysis.
• Students can apply learning to practical problems and make mistakes without patient harm.

Conclusions:

• Computerized simulation offers a valuable tool for teaching clinical trial design.
• The workshop effectively bridges theoretical knowledge with practical application in a risk-free setting.
• Limitations include prerequisites for participants and technical aspects of the simulation.