The key to holding successful clinical trials is making sure that the staff is properly trained. This is challenging for a number of reasons. Trials are often held at multiple locations, with each location being staffed by different individuals. Everyone involved needs to be on the same page in terms of how they conduct the trials.
In order to accomplish that, proper training needs to address everything from the principles of ICH GCP to regulatory issues within the industry. E-learning courses are an effective tool for teaching staff members in different locations how to conduct trials in a way that is efficient, effective, and in compliance with industry standards. Designing an effective online clinical trial training course should include the steps below.
- Understand The Needs Of Your Students
The most effective clinical trial training programs get students excited about learning. Effective training is essential for everyone involved, not only from a health-and-safety standpoint but also to avoid deviations from standard procedures. Conducting clinical trials requires staff members to deal with a wide range of duties, often jumping back and forth between tasks at a fast pace. Finding long stretches of time when they can study may not be possible. In order to accommodate their busy schedules, consider breaking down the training program into small segments that are quick to digest. This piece from Icon looks at what it’s like to be a new researcher and could help you understand.
- Use Visual Aids To Present Key Information
Conducting clinical trials involves complicated protocols and techniques. One effective way to help students better understand key concepts is by presenting them in a visual format. Condensing these concepts down into easy-to-understand graphics makes it easier for students to grasp and retain the knowledge that they need. When designing these graphics, think about the point that you are trying to make. What are the most important takeaways? How can you most clearly represent concepts in a way that students will understand? Through storyboarding, the team developing the training program can come up with a logical sequence for the course that conveys key information in a way that not only is easy for students to grasp but that also holds their attention.
- Simplify The Information As Much As Possible
Developing an effective training course is as much about editing out information that doesn’t need to be there as it is about including the right information. Rather than including every single detail, cull the information down to the most important points. For each concept, identify the key takeaways. Then, develop your training materials to focus on those points. By making sure each screen of the training program gets right to the point, you can keep from losing the interest of your students and make the information easier to understand.
- Design Your Course For Mobile Devices
Make accessibility a priority when designing your training course. Many people prefer to complete their training using mobile devices rather than computers. In the medical field, as many as 80% of doctors rely on their smartphones for completing professional tasks. Designing for mobile users is essential since they make up such a large percentage of your potential audience.
- Reward Students For Their Efforts
People appreciate their efforts being acknowledged. One way to help students feel like they are getting something out of your course is by awarding them with a certificate upon completion. Knowing that they are working toward a certificate helps keep students motivated. It also provides proof that they have completed the training. With today’s technology, it is possible to automate the process of creating and issuing these certificates when students complete the course.
- Gather Feedback From Participants
Your goal should be to continuously improve your courses, ensuring that they deliver excellent content in a way that is easy for students to understand. Using surveys is a great way to get feedback from course participants. Based on the feedback that you receive, you can implement changes to improve the quality of the training. Because the people participating in your training programs work in the healthcare field, you should keep these surveys as short as possible to avoid cutting into their already-busy schedules.