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Introduction to Randomised Controlled Trials

Discover the importance of trials in evidence-based medicine and learn about the trial lifecycle from conception to publication with this online medical course from the University of Birmingham.

Duration

3 weeks

Weekly study

4 hours

100% online

How it works

Unlimited subscription

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Explore how successful clinical trials are designed and delivered

Randomised controlled trials have a huge impact on society by providing evidence of the effectiveness of healthcare, social care, and public health interventions.

On this three-week course from the University of Birmingham, you will be guided through the lifecycle of a trial from conception to publication.

Discover the importance of statistics and planning in a clinical trial

There are many factors to creating and executing a trial. From formulating a clear research question to regulations and funding, a lot needs to be done before starting a medical trial.

You’ll begin this course by looking at the different phases of trials and the steps required to conceptualise, design, and plan a successful trial.

Then, you’ll examine the specialist roles involved in every step of the trial process and learn the importance of these individual inputs in the conduct of a successful trial.

Understand how to manage and interpret trial findings and data

The work isn’t finished once a trial is over; there’s a variety of data points and procedures that need to be managed in order to report on the trial findings.

This course will take you through the management processes for trial data and the end of trial procedures that need to be followed. You’ll also look at safety reporting and how randomised control trials are published.

Learn from the experts at the University of Birmingham

This course has been built by a team of expert research trial staff from the Birmingham Centre for Clinical Trials within Birmingham University. This team will guide you through the entire process for conducting randomised controlled trials and how to report results that can then be used to inform guidelines.

Week 1
The rationale, design and first steps of a randomised controlled trial
- Welcome to Week 1
  Welcome to this course on randomised controlled trials. This activity gives you the chance to meet the lead educators on the course as well as giving you an overview of this week and weeks to come.
- What are Randomised Controlled Trials?
  What are randomised controlled trials?, what impact do they have and why are they so important?
- Funding & Governance
  How can the data from a clinical trial sample be used to understand a whole population?
- Week 1 Wrap-up
  Reflection is an important aspect of learning, this activity gives you the opportunity to reflect on the week's material. As well as a chance to test the knowledge you have gained via a short quiz.
Week 2
The importance of statistics and the planning and set-up of a trial
- Welcome to Week 2
  Welcome to week 2 of the course where we will continue our journey through the life cycle of a randomised controlled trial.
- Statistics in trials
  Why do we need statistics in trials? How do we ensure our results are precise? How many participants do we need in our trail? These are just some of the questions that we aim to answer throughout this activity.
- Preparation and set-up for a trial & International Trials
  There are many considerations in the planning to conduct a randomised controlled trial. This section examines some of these considerations and the people involved.
- Week 2 wrap-up
  Reflection is an important aspect of learning, this activity gives you the opportunity to reflect on the week's material. As well as a chance to test the knowledge you have gained via a short quiz.
Week 3
Delivery of a trial, the analysis and dissemination of trial findings
- Welcome to Week 3
  This activity, gives you a brief introduction of what is to come in week 3.
- Participant Recruitment & Data Management
  Why do trials often fail to recruit sufficient participants and how can we overcome this problem? What does informed consent mean and why is it such a critical part of recruiting participants into a trial?
- Safety and Oversight in Trials
  There may be a number of barriers that hinder the successful completion of a trial, so it is important that there is adequate oversight of trial progress, data collection and of the safety, well-being and interests of trial partic
- What happens at the end of a trial?
  At the end of a trial, participating sites need to be closed and approval bodies notified. We then focus on the analysis of our trial data, reporting the findings and ultimately informing guidelines for clinical practice.
- Week 3 Wrap-up
  Reflection is an important aspect of learning, this activity gives you the opportunity to reflect on the week’s material. As well as a chance to test the knowledge you have gained via a short quiz.