DESIGNING EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS FOR CLINICAL RESEARCH STUDY SUPPORT STAFF

Much attention has been given to preparing investigators for clinical research, but little notice has been given to the development of resea rch support staff who play an integral role in the success of clinical studies. In 1996, research administrators at the General Clinical Res earch Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-GCRC) organize d the 1996 Clinical Research Training Workshops, an educational progra m for study coordinators and other medical professionals involved in c linical research at the UW-GCRC. Thirteen workshops were presented ove r a 2-month period. The workshops covered a variety of topics, includi ng ethics, protocol development, statistics, audits, and various tips and tools for conducting successful research. Experts on these topics, from both the university and outside organizations, made presentation s at the workshops, which attracted 125 participants, including study coordinators, research managers, nurses, and physicians. After each wo rkshop, participants were asked to evaluate its format and content. Re search administrators at the UW-GCRC analyzed evaluation data to deter mine the extent to which each workshop contributed to (a) networking a nd communication among study coordinators at the UW-GCRC, (b) particip ants' understanding of research, and (c) the development of participan ts' research skills. Results of the evaluation revealed that the educa tional goals and objectives were met by one or more of the workshops; however, participation in the workshops did not improve communication and networking among study coordinators. Findings suggest that an alte rnative format, such as small group discussions or seminars involving hands-on activities, might be more effective in achieving this goal.