CLINICAL TRIALS SHORT COURSE
9 - 13 September 2002, London
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, th e
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 Professors Diana Elbourne, and Stuart Pocock
and other members of the Medical Statistics Unit who have extensive
experience in the design, conduct and analysis of trials in a variety of
clinical specialties.
The course will run from 9 - 13 September 2002.
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:
o Essentials of RCTs and ethical issues
o Introductory statistics for design, analysis and reporting
o Design - randomisation, trial size, data monitoring, and
'alternative' designs
o Analysis and reporting
o Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of trials
o Development of a protocol. Participants will work in small groups to
develop and present trial protocols.
There will be no formal examination. A Certificate of Attendance will
be awarded to all completing the course.
TEACHING METHODS AND
COURSE MATERIALS
The course will include some lectures, but the main focus will be on
participatory practical sessions.
A course manual will be given to the participants at the beginning of
the week. The following books are
recommended, and will be available at reduced rates during the course.
Pocock SJ. Clinical Trials: A Practical Approach. Wiley, Chichester,
1983.
Matthews JNS. An introduction to randomized controlled clinical trials.
Arnold, London. 2000
Flather M, Aston H and Stables R (eds). Handbook of Clinical Trials.
ReMEDICA 2001.
COURSE FEE
The total course fee is £600. The fee covers participation in the
course, course materials (manuals), calculator, lunch, and tea/coffee,
but does not cover travel costs or accommodation. The School cannot
provide accommodation for participants. A list of hotels and other
accommodation located in the vicinity of the School can be supplied on
request to the Registry. The full course fee is payable by 9 August
2002.
APPLICATIONS
Application forms are available from:
Registry, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 50 Bedford
Square, London WC1B 3DP
UNITED KINGDOM
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, Professor Diana Elbourne. Telephone +44 (0)20 7927
2629; e-mail: [log in to unmask]
Diana Elbourne
Professor of 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]
and
Professor of Evidence-Informed Policy and Practice,
Social Science Research Unit
Institute of Education
18 Woburn Sq
London WC1H 0NS
Tel: 020 7612 6578
Fax 020 7612 6400
Email [log in to unmask]
Diana Elbourne
Professor of 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]
and
Professor of Evidence-Informed Policy and Practice,
Social Science Research Unit
Institute of Education
18 Woburn Sq
London WC1H 0NS
Tel: 020 7612 6578
Fax 020 7612 6400
Email [log in to unmask]
|
