There are a lot of sensitive and technical factors to consider when running a paediatric clinical trial. While the ultimate goal is to create better medicines for children, the knowledge gained from performing these trials is also a positive outcome that should be shared.
The team behind conect4children’s work package 6 (WP6): ‘Network research personnel education and training’ knew the benefits of sharing this knowledge and expertise to all the people working in paediatric drug development and paediatric clinical trials.
This is why the team with members from the Bambino Gesù Hospital, Newcastle University, and industry partners, including Sanofi, set their sights on creating a comprehensive paediatric-specific training environment. “For me it is natural that in a project like conect4children, people have a good knowledge and are able to perform studies in a proper way,” says Gian Luigi Spadoni (Bambino Gesù Hospital).
To build a set of training courses that would actually serve the people who need them – clinicians, nurses, investigators, administrators, etc. – multiple surveys were sent out to get their input. This allowed WP6 to tailor the courses to how the participants enjoy learning. This was not only confined to the launch of a new training course, but also during and after the sessions were finished, allowing the format, design, and timing to evolve over time and with experience.
“We wanted to confirm that we were still meeting the gaps in training, as well as the needs of the c4c National Hubs and their sites, and to make sure we weren’t duplicating what was already available,” says Joanne Lee (Newcastle University). “The field is evolving, and we are trying to reach these new learning needs,” adds Becca Leary (Newcastle University).
The c4c Academy platform was created to host the training courses, which allowed students to easily find courses and trainers to follow up on their participants’ progress. For example, if a participant misses multiple sessions, the trainer can see and reach out to them, giving the training a more personal touch. The content of the courses ranges from good clinical practice (GCP) to remote clinical trials to modelling and simulation. Each course provides a certificate, with some also being accredited. With around 60 types of courses available, participants have a wide choice and many take advantage of this with over half of the students following more than one training course.
These efforts have culminated in the creation of a training environment that the team hopes has positively impacted the field of paediatric research. The team are working on the publication of a paper to share the methodology behind creating a successful learning academy. As the project approaches its end, they are hopeful that this type of training continues.
“We would like this legacy to continue” Francesca Rocchi (Bambino Gesu Hospital)
