ICR Expands Elearning Offering, UK

Main Category: Medical Students / Training
Article Date: 16 Mar 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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The Institute of Clinical Research (ICR) has further strengthened its commitment to developing professionals within the industry by enhancing its eLearning education programme.

The programme now features 10 eLearning modules, all upgraded to include Flash technology offering interactive education courses for clinical research professionals. Each course is available through the ICR website allowing individuals to study at a convenient pace and around their work commitments.

New to ICR's eLearning range are Practical Monitoring, which provides an insight into the practical requirements of a Monitor in the conduct of clinical trials, and GCP Compliance in Document Management and Archiving, which examines the why, what, who and when of paper and electronic archiving. The latter is presented in association with specialist CRO, Phlexglobal.

Alongside these modules, ICR is also introducing two new courses designed to help new or existing staff develop their careers. Entitled So You Want to be a CRA? and How to Get a Job as a CRA, these modules lead participants through the essential skills required to be a successful CRA and provide guidance on how to approach the application process.

These new courses will join the existing modules entitled ICH GCP for Investigators, ICH GCP for Sponsors, Principles of ICH GCP, Data Protection and Clinical Research in the UK, GCP Directive and EU Clinical Trials Directive.

Sue Fitzpatrick, education manager at the ICR, is excited about launching the new modules. She said: "We have extended our eLearning programme to incorporate more areas of clinical research and to help our members further their careers.

"Our wide range of courses demonstrates how the ICR is monitoring current trends in the clinical research industry and is offering valuable remote training for clinical researchers. The courses are available online allowing students to study around their own personal and work commitments."

The ICR operates a comprehensive training programme with both public and in-house courses plus its eLearning and distance learning. Each course carries Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points allowing members to development their knowledge and skills.

A further 10 new eLearning modules will be available during 2009.

For further details about eLearning and other training opportunities from the ICR, log onto the website at http://www.icr-global.org/learning or call 01628 536967.

The ICR eLearning modules

EU Clinical Trials Directive
This module highlights the differences between ICH GCP and the EU Directive. It details how the directive affects the clinical trial life cycle and what this will mean in practice.

Principles of ICH GCP
This module gives an insight into the principles of ICH GCP. It describes the purpose of GCP, looks at the key features of the guideline and examines the roles, responsibilities and requirements of essential documentation.

ICH GCP for Investigators
This course is designed to increase subject knowledge for investigators. It is designed to enhance investigators' skills of ICH GCP by means of consequence learning.

ICH GCP for Sponsors
This course is designed to increase subject knowledge for sponsors and especially for sponsors of non-commercial studies. By the end of this module, the learner will know what the requirements of the sponsor are under ICH GCP.

Data Protection and Clinical Research in the UK
This module allows the learner to get an insight into the important requirements of the data protection act to ensure compliance in the clinical research arena.

GCP Directive
This module allows the learner to get an insight into the most important requirements of the GCP Directive in the conduct of clinical trials. It also shares the views of various clinical trial personnel on the impact of this directive on their role.

Practical Monitoring
This module looks at the role of a monitor, explores ICH GCP responsibilities, gives an insight into how to fulfil these responsibilities and looks at the different types of monitoring visit.

GCP Compliance in Document Management and Archiving in association with Phlexglobal
This module defines documentation and essential documentation requirements under the European regulations. It will look at each document and its purpose in the trial process, identify which documents are unique to the TMF and ISF and discuss the why, what, who and when of archiving paper documents and electronic archiving.

So You Want to be a CRA?
This module will offer an insight into the practical requirements of a CRA in the conduct of clinical trials and provides an introduction to drug development. It will also assess whether the user has the required attributes and skills to be a CRA.

How to Get a Job as a CRA
This module looks at hints and tips on securing the job that you want. It will help decide if it really is the job for the student and how to write CVs, prepare for interviews etc.

About the Institute of Clinical Research (ICR)

The ICR was established in 1978 and with an expanding global presence, is the largest professional clinical research body in Europe and India. Putting members first, its vision is to be internationally recognised as the premier organisation for clinical research, respected as a key influencer, promoting knowledge and understanding by engaging the healthcare community and the general public.

The ICR operates a number of special interest groups covering issues from paediatrics, research nursing and clinical pharmacology to project management, medical devices and resourcing. It has been awarded Investors in People (IiP) accreditation, is a licensed body for Chartered Scientist status and collaborates with UK universities and international training organisations on post graduate education.

Each year the ICR holds its Annual Spring Conference & Exhibition which is attended by a broad range of delegates from across the pharmaceutical industry, academia and the NHS, all looking to keep up to date, make new contacts, renew old acquaintances or cement relationships. In 2009 the Spring Conference & Exhibition theme will be Essential Updates & Lively Debate and it will be held on 17th and 18th March at the ICC in Birmingham.

Institute of Clinical Research

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