How to make training easier for clinical trial sites

10-Nov-2016 - Last updated on 10-Nov-2016 at 15:06 GMT

(Image: iStock/maxkabakov)

Addressing training methodologies will ‘go a long way’ in improving investigator satisfaction, according to a recent survey by Worldwide Clinical Trials.

The survey specifically evaluated preferences of investigators who participate in central nervous system (CNS) studies that employ rater training and surveillance methodologies.

According to the company, the findings demonstrate preferences for certain methods of rater training, with video demonstration of a practice quiz and certification videos being the most preferred.

The least preferred method was the mock interview, in which site raters conduct an assessment in front of an expert rater.

“A clear message from the survey results is that some of the most frustrating aspects of rater training are the redundant trainings needed between studies, multiple log-ins, and difficult-to-use websites,” Andrew Komorowsky, MS, Clinician, Clinical Assessment Technologies, Worldwide Clinical Trials, told Outsourcing-Pharma.com.

As such, Komorowsky said contract research organizations (CROs) that are capable of streamlining training websites, adopting a single sign-on methodology, and simplifying repeated scale trainings, are more likely to have a better working relationship with the sites.

“The most surprising finding was that CD-ROM self-study was preferred over on-site training or live Web-ex training,” he added. “This is most likely due to the site’s ability to do the training at their own pace.”

Moving forward, Komorowsky explained Worldwide needs to continue its efforts to make training easier and less cumbersome for its sites.

“Finalizing the single sign on, developing a rater program that can span between sponsors, and providing the training in preferred venues will be taken into account,” he said.

For the industry as a whole, the survey results indicate that improvements need to be addressed in terms of training websites or portals, as raters voiced frustrations related to using many different websites that are difficult to use or not streamlined.

“Addressing that issue would go a long way toward improving rater satisfaction in the training process,” said Komorowky. “The industry needs to evolve to engage investigators in a way that provides quality, reliance, validity, and ease of use.”