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A few places are still available for the Short Course on Clinical Trials which will be held between 11-15 September 2000 at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. Further details follow below CLINICAL TRIALS Clinicians, policy makers and patients are increasingly demanding high quality evidence to help with making decisions about health care. There is a hierarchy of such evidence ranging from anecdote and observational studies up to randomised controlled trials (RCTs). In these trials, the effects of different treatments are compared to each other by giving the treatments to patients 'at random', thus providing a 'fair' and unbiased comparison. RCTs provide much of the evidence needed to register new drugs for use, but trials are also used for comparing a wide range of non-drug treatments, such as medical versus surgical managements for cancer. This course will provide an introduction to the area of clinical trials, with more detailed coverage of some of the key issues to be considered in their design, analysis and interpretation. The course will be led by a group who have extensive experience in the design, conduct or analysis of trials in a variety of clinical specialties. They are members of the Medical Statistics Unit from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (Dr Mona Abdalla, Mr Tim Clayton, Professor Diana Elbourne (organiser), Ms Polly Hardy, Professor Mike Kenward, Ms Kiran Nanchahal, Professor Stuart Pocock, Mr Stephen Sharp, Ms Ann Truesdale and Mr Ian White), with Professor Miranda Mugford from University of East Anglia. WHO SHOULD ATTEND? The course is relevant to all those with an interest in the rigorous evaluation of interventions in health care, particularly clinicians and others working or intending to work in the health services or related areas such as the pharmaceutical industry. COURSE CONTENT The topics to be covered will include: * Introduction to the evaluation of effectiveness * Design, including avoidance of bias, trial size and data monitoring, 'alternative' designs * Analysis and reporting of trials, including cost-effectiveness analysis * Meta-analysis of trials * Development of a protocol. Students will work in small groups to develop and present trial protocols.. TEACHING METHODS AND COURSE MATERIALS The course will include some lectures, but the main focus will be on participatory practical sessions. There will be no formal examination. A Certificate of Attendance will be awarded to all students completing the course A course manual will be given to the participants at the beginning of the week. For those interested in doing preparatory reading, the following book is recommended: * Pocock SJ. Clinical Trials: A Practical Approach. Wiley, Chichester 1983 COURSE FEE The total course fee is £550, which includes a non-refundable deposit of £50. The fee covers participation in the course, course materials (manuals), incidental tea/coffee and reception, but does not cover travel costs, accommodation or meals. The full course fee is payable on notification of acceptance for the course. APPLICATIONS Potential applicants should contact Short Courses, Registry London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine 50 Bedford Square London WC1B 3DP Telephone: +44 (0)20 7299 4648 Fax: +44 (0)20 7323 0638 e-mail: [log in to unmask] Internet: http://www.lshtm.ac.uk Those requiring further information about the course should contact the Course Organiser: Diana Elbourne Telephone: +44 (0)20 7927 2629 e-mail: [log in to unmask] Dr Diana Elbourne Reader in Health Care Evaluation Medical Statistics Unit London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Keppel Street London WC1E 7HT UK tel: +44 (0)20 7927 2629 fax: +44 (0)20 7637 2853 email [log in to unmask] %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%