Workshops

Workshops, conferences & events

This resource highlights upcoming workshops, events and conferences, as well as past events, run by the HTMR Network and our colleagues in clinical trials. For more training courses, including short courses, Masters degrees, and training resources from our colleagues visit our training pages.

Workshops 2019-2020

 

An evidenced-based interactive workshop for Chairs of Trial Steering Committees (TSCs). Chairs will learn about the wide remit and interactions of TSCs through presentations from experienced TSC stakeholders. TSC Chairs will learn how to deliver the role successfully, including some of the challenges they might face.

The workshop will include panel discussions, presentations from chief investigators, clinical trial units, trial funders and trial methodologists.

A free one day training event for newly funded Chief Investigators on randomised clinical trials.

The workshop will include panel discussions, presentations from chief investigators, clinical trial units, trial funders and trial methodologists.

The workshop is targeted to recently funded Chief Investigators on RCTs.

2019 Programme available soon.

Location: Birmingham

2021 Course dates: TBA Please contact course organiser Michelle Burgess for details of future course:

There is a need to train existing and potential clinical researchers in the design, management, analysis and interpretation of randomised clinical trials. The Birmingham Clinical Trials Unit organises and runs a course in research methods for clinical trials, which is designed to help researchers apply the most effective practical methods to answer key problems in clinical and other health care research.

CPD approved (accredited with 18 CPD points).

The course is designed to appeal to a broad audience ranging from those who have little experience in clinical trials to those who wish to widen their knowledge of the conduct of such trials. Attendance would be appropriate for: Clinical researchers who are planning or running a clinical trial Medical staff involved in clinical trials who are interested in expanding their knowledge Trial coordinators, trial administrators, data managers, research nurses and others who wish to expand their knowledge of clinical trial methodology.

Statistical methods for design and analysis of precision medicine trials

Intro/aim Precision medicine is about going beyond assessing whether a new treatment works on average to predicting which subgroups of patients receive benefit and to what extent.

In this course we introduce the concept of precision medicine and cover innovative approaches to clinical trial design and analysis. This includes novel designs (basket, umbrella, adaptive signature and adaptive enrichment designs) as well as efficient analysis approaches (Bayesian hierarchical modelling and using instrumental variable methods to help estimate sub-group specific treatment effects in the presence of intercurrent events). These approaches have all been developed to improve the power, quality of information, and patient benefit provided by clinical trials.

Examples from a wide variety of therapeutic areas will be discussed, with implementation in R software. Perspectives will be given on the future development of design, conduct and analysis of clinical trials in the field.

The intended audience of the course is students and professionals with some knowledge of clinical trials and statistics. Some basic knowledge of R (although full support will be given), knowledge of clinical trials and basic statistics will be helpful. For some parts of the course basic knowledge of Bayesian statistics is assumed.

Location: Cambridge

Course dates: 26-27 March 2020

Precision medicine has the aim of determining which patients benefit from which treatment. Clinical trials have an important role in gathering robust evidence for enabling precision medicine. This workshop will showcase new developments in the design, conduct and analysis of precision medicine trials, including:

•Innovative Trial designs for precision medicine

•Methods for conducting efficient and complex trials

•Statistical analysis issues

•Communicating and reporting results from precision medicine trials

•Precision medicine for rare disease

•Precision medicine for non-drug interventions

The event will consist of invited speakers from the UK and beyond as well as contributed talks. It will take place in the same week as a parallel two-day course run at the MRC Biostatistics Unit on ‘Statistical methods for design and analysis of precision medicine trials’. We invite you to submit an abstract for a contributed talk or poster via the following link –Abstract submission form, please note the closing date for abstracts is 31st January 2020.

2 Day course:Intro to Cancer Clinical Trials for Statisticians Course

London

18-19 March 2020

Cancer Research UK and UCL Cancer Trials Centre

Aims:

To introduce delegates to the biology, diagnosis, staging, and treatments of cancer and how these relate to the main outcome measures used in cancer clinical trials (adverse events, response, survival and other time to event endpoints). The course will provide delegates an excellent opportunity to network with statisticians from other UKCRC registered clinical trial units.

Target Audience:

This is an introductory course suitable for recent MSc graduates or more experienced statisticians new to the field of cancer treatment trials. Delegates do not need to have prior knowledge of cancer.

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the course participants should have greater knowledge of the date that contribute to cancer clinical trial reports and approaches to the appropriate analysis/presentation of such data, The course will be run by Director of the Medical Care Research Unit Professor Alicia O'Cathain

Last registration date 3rd March. Limited places, first come first served.

Train the Trainer

London -

Three day course 27th April, 4th May & 1st June

A course to introduce delegates to adult learning styles and interactive training methods to ensure learner participation and more effective transfer of learning into the workplace.

2 Day course: Designing and Running Streamlined Randomized Trials

ScHARR

20 April 2020

*Focus*: Researchers often use qualitative research before or during randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of complex interventions. We will focus on designing the qualitative research, paying attention to writing relevant parts of a grant application. We will take people through the key issues to consider, drawing on real world examples from our own practice as lead investigators, clinical triallists, qualitative researchers, and Research Design Service advisors. We will NOT focus on how to do qualitative research in general or how to do RCTs.*

The course will be run by Director of the Medical Care Research Unit Professor Alicia O'Cathain

Early bird booking for this course will close on 20th February 2020 Standard booking will close on 6th April 2020*

Who will benefit from the course?

People planning to design qualitative research with RCTs,

People leading qualitative research with RCTs,

People working with qualitative researchers on RCTs.

Course Materials Course Materials will be provided via a Delegate Course Website approximately 1 week prior to the course start date. Hard copies of exercises will be provided throughout the course as necessary. Hard copies of PowerPoint presentations will not be provided, but these can be printed by delegates before the start of the course via the Delegate Course Website.

Optimising Recruitment to Randomised Controlled Trials

1 May 2020

This course is relevant for researchers, trial co-ordinators, and health care professionals who have an interest in the design and delivery of randomised controlled trials. It is particularly suitable for individuals who have a role in organising or undertaking trial recruitment - especially trials in secondary care hospital settings that are deemed difficult to recruit to.

The day long course will cover the following areas, using examples from real RCTs:

Common organisational and logistic difficulties that can impede recruitment;

Use of screening logs to monitor recruitment, identify issues, and prioritise solutions;

An overview of the concepts of individual and community equipoise, and their implications for recruitment;

Strategies for responding to and addressing patient preferences for or against trial treatments;

The implications of language and terminology on recruitment when discussing RCTs with potential participants.

BOSTiC: 3 day training event in research methods

Aimed at Surgical Trainees

Learn how to design and conduct RCTs in surgery that answer research questions of relevance to surgeons, patients and the NHS.

Essentials of Clinical Trials

This course provides attendees with a clear understanding of the fundamental principles of Randomised Clinical Trials (RCTs). Lectures and practical sessions cover the key issues to be considered in design, conduct, analysis and reporting, with a focus on major clinical trials which directly influence clinical practice.

Topics are addressed with perspectives from both public sector research and the pharmaceutical industry.

Who should attend?

The course is relevant to all those who want to gain an understanding of the rigorous evaluation of interventions in health care, including clinical research professionals, research managers, and other scientists with an interest in clinical trials.

Course fee

The course fee for 2020 is £1,873. Fees normally cover participation in the course, course materials and refreshments each day. Fees do not cover travel costs or accommodation.

Accreditation

This course has been approved by the Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom for 30 category 1 (external) CPD credit(s).

Location: UCL Institute of Health Informatics, 222 Euston Road, London NW1 2DA

Course dates:

4th May - Machine Learning in Healthcare

1st & 2nd June - Applied Genomics for Data Scientists

3rd June - Answering Clinical Research Questions with Health Records

4th May - Machine Learning in Healthcare

In an era of modern healthcare, it is essential that all stakeholders are aware of the foundations of machine learning and the latest trends in this field. This introductory and interactive course will provide you with clear insights regarding the associated challenges and opportunities.

1st & 2nd June - Applied Genomics for Data Scientists

Genomic information is increasingly available within healthcare systems offering a range of exciting opportunities to improve the prediction, diagnosis and treatment of disease. An understanding of the nature of genetic data and how it can be analysed is increasingly essential for data scientists working in healthcare. This course provides a practical-led introduction to human genetics, using simulated UK Biobank data, covering the key aspects of theory and practice for health.

3rd June - Answering Clinical Research Questions with Health Records

Harnessing the scale and depth of linked electronic health records for research has the potential to change how healthcare is delivered and bring enormous benefits for patients. In this course we will introduce the breadth of the health informatics research agenda, focusing on the use of nationally available datasets for clinical research. The course will cover the practicalities of health informatics research – from developing the research question through to methodology and obtaining research funding. This course is ideal for individuals with a primary degree in healthcare who are interested in health informatics research but have either little or no experience in this area. A unique programme of inter-related one- and two-day courses in the rapidly developing field of electronic health records research, spanning a wide range of applications in basic and applied health research.

The courses are intended for people from a wide range of backgrounds - including health care, epidemiology, biostatistics, health informatics, NHS IT, bioinformatics, genomics and computer science - and at different career stages, from those thinking of doing an MSc or PhD to established researchers.

MRC North West Hub for Trials Methodology Research and The North West Clinical Trials Collaborative On-campus course ‘Improving health by improving trials’

Target audience

This course is aimed at health and research professionals, particularly those aiming to become Chief Investigators.

Faculty includes:

Clinical trials: Professor Paula Williamson, Dr Susanna Dodd

Statistics: Professor Richard Emsley, Dr Chris Sutton, Professor Jamie Kirkham, Professor James Wason

Qualitative and recruitment research: Professor Peter Bower, Professor Bridget Young

Health economics: Professor Dyfrig Hughes

Overview

The number of clinical trials being conducted has increased, and the need for greater efficiency in design, conduct, analysis and reporting has been recognised in both the public and industry sector.

The programme will include:

• Trial design • Trial conduct • Recruitment of trial participants • Public and patient involvement • Analysis and reporting • Health Informatics • Health economics

Course fee:

£525, includes course materials, lunch and refreshments

Individual day attendance available: £105 per day

CPD accredited:

30 points awarded for full week attendance

Oxford Centre for Statistics in Medicine: Randomised Controlled Trials (RCT) Course

Introduction - Target Audience

The Centre for Statistics in Medicine (CSM)’s Randomised Controlled Trials (RCT) Course is ideal for anyone planning or actively involved in RCTs for healthcare evaluation, particularly those early in their career or those looking for a refresher course.

The course uses a problem-based learning approach to provide a thorough grounding in the principles and practice of planning, conducting, reporting, and interpreting RCTs, mixing lectures and small-group practical work.

Faculty

The interdisciplinary faculty includes three registered CTU directors, clinicians, and statisticians, all with a wealth of RCT experience.

Faculty includes CSM staff (e.g., Associate Prof Jonathan Cook and Dr Ines Rombach), wider University of Oxford staff (e.g., Prof David Beard and Prof Ed Juszczak), and those from further afield (e.g., Prof Mike Clarke of Queen’s University Belfast, Prof Richard Emsley of King’s College London, and Prof Karina Lovell of University of Manchester).

Location and Cost

RCT Course 2019 will be held 21-25 September at Merton College, University of Oxford and costs £1500 (£1350 early-bird rate before 31 March

In memory of course founder Prof Doug Altman, one sponsored place is available for an applicant from an LMIC (lower-to-middle-income country) or a student. Sponsorship covers the course fee and accommodation at Merton College. Selection is at the discretion of the course organisers. If would you like to be considered for the sponsored place, please complete the relevant section of the course application form to explain how you meet the criteria and tell us why you would like to attend this course. Applications must reach us by 31 March 2020.

Adaptive Designs and Multiple Testing Procedures for Clinical Trials

Venue Seminar rooms, Cambridge Institute of Public Health, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0SR (adjacent to Addenbrooke’s Hospital) This course is aimed at health and research professionals, particularly those aiming to become Chief Investigators.

Course Tutors

Dr Michael Grayling, Newcastle University

Professor Adrian Mander, Cardiff University

Dr David Robertson, MRC Biostatistics Unit

Professor James Wason, MRC Biostatistics Unit and Newcastle University

Target audience

The course is aimed at statisticians, although non-statisticians with strong quantitative experience would benefit from the course also.

Pre-requisites

Knowledge of standard statistical methods for design and analysis of randomised clinical trials is assumed.

Course Objectives

After the course, participants will be aware of a broad range of adaptive designs that are available and be able to design some of their own using available software.

Course fee

Student: £210

Public Sector £390

Private Sector £510

Advanced Stata: Programming and other techniques to make your life easier.

A five day course from the Population Studies Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Adaptive Designs and Multiple Testing Procedures for Clinical Trials

As well as being a powerful tool for statistical analysis, Stata offers a variety of commands for manipulating your data and for formatting, arranging and exporting your results.

Target audience

This intensive short course is aimed at researchers and other professionals, from any discipline, who regularly use Stata for analysis but want to learn how to work more efficiently. It would be particularly suited to those who are about to embark on large analyses and who would like a quick guide on how to automate the repetitive parts of the process.

We will cover a range of topics including:

Efficient ways of working using do files commands that allow you to manipulate data and to easily create new summary variables and datasets.

Stata's commands for accessing and outputting results including putdocx to send output to Word documents and two simple commands to write text files and Stata datasets containing results.

Creating new commands (programs) for Stata.

The course has run since 2008 and has been a great success. Participants have consistently commented on the excellent teaching and feedback includes "I learnt so much in such a short time", "I would recommend this course" and "This has saved me months of work". Each year we find that many people have had the course recommended by a friend or colleague.

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Conferences

The next ICTMC conference has now been moved to 2022.

Planning is underway for the next International Clinical Trials Methodology Conference 2022.

The next Royal Statistical Society Annual meeting will be held 6-9 September 2021, in Manchester.

The RSS International Conference has established itself as the only conference in the UK for anyone interested in statistics and data science.

Every year, over 600 statisticians and data scientists gather from all sectors and from over 30 countries to share information and network, attracted by a varied programme of talks and workshops.

After moving online in 2020 we are aiming to return to an in-person conference and are pleased to be returning to Manchester which last hosted the conference in 2016.

Registration will open in November 2020.

Submissions for contributed talks and posters will open later in 2020.

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