Courses and Events

Self-directed    |    Online (Xerte)

About

This course aims to help you begin your patient public involvement activities.

These are some of the topics we will cover:   

• What is patient and public involvement?
• Ways of working
• Making Patient and Public Involvement work for you
• Challenges and how to overcome them
• Resources: where to find help and support

Tutor

Carol Porteous

Cost

This course is a free resource

Access to Bitesize Introduction to Patient & Public Involvement (link to external Xerte website )

2 week course

13:00 - 14:00 weekdays     |    Online (TEAMS)

(except Wednesday 20th October 2021 -  14:00 - 15:00)

About

This online course is an adaptation of the existing face-2-face Planning and Conducting a Systematic Review course, it is designed to provide practical guidance on all the steps involved in doing a systematic review from planning through to completion. This course will enable delegates to understand the process of how the systematic review is put into action and to complete a systematic review involving quantitative studies. The teaching will include online lectures spread over 2 weeks and some hands-on practice using a range of tools and resources that are available to help researchers carry out reviews. The teaching material will include themed examples spanning both clinical and public health research. 

We have designed the course spread thinly over 2 weeks to minimize the amount of live online content delivered in one go as this can be quite hard work. Organised this way the course gives delegates a better opportunity to work on small tasks and learning relevant to all the sequential steps of the systematic review process.

The learning content will be released on each Friday for completion before attending the live, interactive sessions on each of the following weekdays between 13.00 – 14.00 unless otherwise stated.

The course is suitable for those planning on doing systematic reviews and also anyone needing to evaluate and interpret existing systematic review evidence. Therefore this course is widely applicable to researchers, healthcare professionals and students.

Tutors

• Dave Saunders
• Anne Martin
• Ruth Jenkins
• Marshall Dozier
• Avril Johnstone
• Paul Kelly
• Hilary Thomson

Cost

• Student rate (Matriculation Card Required) = £160
• NHS Lothian/University of Edinburgh rate = £220
• Other academic/NHS rate = £360

There is a cancellation date of 4th October 2021.  You will be charged if you cancel after this date.

***This course is now fully booked***

09:00 - 16:30 UK Time    |    Online (Zoom)

About

This one day online course is designed either for those who have not studied Good Clinical Practice (GCP) before or those who have studied it more than two years ago. It is presented as a practical introduction to the subject and consists of a mixture of short lectures interspersed with practical activities, culminating in a monitoring workshop. The monitoring workshop allows the more abstract concepts that have been discussed throughout the day to be brought to life.

While the principles of GCP that are covered in the course are common to a wide range of different types of clinical research, the course does focus on the drug trial specific legislation. However, it also promotes the ‘GCP-mindset’ needed to satisfy inspectors and auditors and would, therefore, be useful for all clinical researchers.

This ICH E6 GCP Investigator Site Training meets the Minimum Criteria for ICH GCP Investigator Site Personnel Training identified by TransCelerate BioPharma, Inc. as necessary to enable mutual recognition of GCP training among trial sponsors. 

Tutors

• Jo Merrifield
• Lorn MacKenzie

***Please note, places are limited, and priority will be given to those working or studying in the Lothians 

Cost

This course is free for students, academic and NHS staff based in Scotland. 

To book a place, please email the Education Core: education@edinburghcrf.ed.ac.uk  

(Please include:  Name, Job title, Department, Employing organisation)

10:00 - 13:00  UK Time    |    Online (Zoom)

About

Patient Public Involvement (PPI) in Clinical Trials: Design, Recruitment and Retention discusses why PPI is particularly useful for the development of clinical trials and how it can help in the design of trials and in the recruitment and retention of participants.

• How can involving patients in the design of your project improve the plans for your trial?
• What does the evidence tell us about the impact of involving patients and the public in clinical trials?
• Learn how recruitment and retention can be improved by the involvement of patients and the public.

Objectives

• Learn when PPI is most useful in the development of clinical trials
• Understand what knowledge patients and the public can bring which could help in the design and running of your trial
• Create a plan for PPI in your clinical trial

Tutor

This course will be delivered by Carol Porteous, the Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement Advisor from Edinburgh Clinical Research Facility (CRF).  She will be joined by members of the CRF PPI Panel, who will provide a public/patient perspective on the themes discussed.

Cost

• Student rate (Matriculation Card required) = £40
• NHS Lothian/University of Edinburgh rate = £60
• Other academic/NHS rate = £90

There is a cancellation date of 11th October 2021.  You will be charged if you cancel after this date.

Book now:  PPI in Clinical Trials  25/10/2021  (link to external ePay website)

09:30 - 12:30 UK Time    |     Online (Zoom)

About

This virtual workshop is for experienced research personnel who have completed an Introduction to Good Clinical Practice within the last 2 years and require an update. 

By the end of this workshop, you will be provided with:  

• Update on the changing UK legislative framework for CTIMPs 
• Refresher of your understanding of Good Clinical Practice 
• Opportunity to share good practice and reflect on your own experience 

***Please note, places are limited, and priority will be given to those working or studying in the Lothians 

Cost

This course is free for students, academic and NHS staff. 

To book a place, please email the Education Core: education@edinburghcrf.ed.ac.uk   

(Please include:  Name, Job title, Department, Employing organisation)

14:00 - 15:30 UK Time (4 sessions)    |    Online (Zoom)

About

This introductory level project management course aims to de-mystify the world of project management, focusing on the practical skills, tools and techniques to help you successfully plan and deliver your clinical research projects.

Delivered as 4 x 1.5 hour live online sessions via Zoom, each focussing on a different aspect of project management. Each session consists of presented material on standard project management techniques, combined with breakout rooms, where you will discuss the techniques covered in the context of the world of clinical research.

No prior knowledge of project management is required.

The sessions are delivered by the Project Management Office (PMO) in the University of Edinburgh’s Information Services Group.

Learning objectives

By the end of this course, you will have learned about: -

• The project lifecycle, and the key factors that influence project success;
• The role of the project manager, and the skills required;
• How to clearly define your project, setting it up for the best chance of success;
• How to construct a robust and realistic project plan;
• Some of the tools that are available to help you organise, and document your project;
• How to evaluate and manage risks, issues and changes to scope as your project progresses;
• How to identify your stakeholders, understand their needs; and manage their expectations;
• Developing a communications plan;
• The importance of project roles and responsibilities;
• The need for effective project governance and regular project monitoring and reporting;
• How to learn from lessons identified at the completion of a project.

Pre-work

There is no pre-work required other than to gather your thoughts about research projects that you have been involved in and to be prepared to share your experiences in the breakout room discussions. For example: -

• What went well (or not so well) in terms of planning and managing the project?
• Did everyone on the team know what was expected of them and when?
• What challenges did you face along the way?

Post-work

There is no compulsory post-work work required, though a short list of optional additional reading/watching will be supplied for those wishing to further explore the world of project management. 

Course Outline

Tutor

Dawn Holmes 

Cost

This course is free to NHS Lothian and UoE staff and students (matriculation number required)

• NHSL/UoE staff/students - £0
• External students rate (external to UoE) - £80
• Other academic/NHS rate - £180

There is a cancellation date of 19 October 2021.  You will be charged if you cancel after this date.

***  This course is now fully booked ***  

To be added to the waiting list, please email education@edinburghCRF.ed.ac.uk. 

09:30 - 12:30  UK Time    |    Online (Zoom)

About

The course will consist of two sessions:

Why do you need to apply to the Public Benefit and Privacy Panel for Health and Social Care (PBPP)?

• this will include the background legislation and principles covering the need to apply to the PBPP
• the remit for the PBPP application process

How do you apply to the Public Benefit and Privacy Panel for Health and Social Care?

• this will investigate the different things that need to be considered when filling in an application

There will be a further more interactive session where course members will be able to look at an application and see the criteria under which it was assessed for approval.

Tutor

Marian Aldhous

Cost

• Student rate (Matriculation Card required) = £40
• NHS Lothian/University of Edinburgh rate = £60
• Other academic/NHS rate = £90

There is a cancellation date of 13th October 2021.  You will be charged if you cancel after this date.

Book now:  The Whys and Hows of applying to the PBPP for Health and Social Care  27/10/2021  (link to external ePay website)

09:30 - 12:30 UK Time    |    Online (Zoom)

About

This course aims to introduce learners to the knowledge and skills required to conduct research interviews in qualitative research.

Learning objectives: 

• A critical understanding of the principles of recruiting participants for qualitative interviewing.  
• Appreciate the ethical issues involved in conducting research interviews. 
• Demonstrate an awareness of the different formats for interviewing. 
• A critical understanding of the principles of conducting qualitative interviewing.  
• Develop skills in conducting research interviews in healthcare.  

Tutor

Sheila Rodgers

Cost

• Student rate (Matriculation Card Required) = £40
• NHS Lothian/University of Edinburgh rate = £60
• Other academic/NHS rate = £90

There is a cancellation date of 21^st October 2021. You will be charged if you cancel after this date.

Book now:  Conducting Interviews in Qualitative Research  28/10/2021  (link to external ePay website)

09:30 - 12:30 UK Time    |     Online (Zoom)

About

The virtual session will last 3 hours, and will cover many of the practical aspects of information law likely to be encountered by health and social care researchers in the UK. 

It will be comprised of a series of short didactic sessions, intermixed with workshop activities to help consolidate learning. All workshops will be based on ‘real-life’ examples.  Workshops will be tailored to ensure relevance to different audiences.

Attendees will be encouraged to ask questions.

Attendance certificates will be issued to all those who complete the training course (delivered by email).

Target Audience:  Any researcher or research support staff who collects, manages, handles or accesses information about people to support research activities. It may also be relevant / of interest to Research and other governance managers.  But it will not directly address all of their specific learning needs. Members of research ethics committees may find the content interesting, but again this training will not directly address their specific learning needs.

Tutor

Alex Bailey

Cost

• Student rate (Matriculation Card Required) = £40
• NHS Lothian/University of Edinburgh rate = £60
• Other academic/NHS rate = £90

There is a cancellation date of 19th October 2021. You will be charged if you cancel after this date.

Book now: Research, GDPR and confidentiality 02/11/2021 (link to ePay booking site)

11:00 - 12:00 UK Time    |    Online (Zoom)

About

The recently published Data Strategy for Health and Social Care and the Goldacre review of health data use have wide-ranging implications for the use of data in health research.  This talk will provide an overview of the Data Strategy and the Goldacre review and explore the impact they will have on health research in the UK.

Tutor

Alex Bailey

Cost

This course is free for University of Edinburgh and NHS Lothian staff and students.

• Student rate (External to UoE/NHS Lothian) = £10
• Other Academic/NHS rate ( External to UoE/NHS Lothian) = £20

There is a cancellation date of 21st October 2021.  You will be charged if you cancel after this date.

Book now: Implications of the recent changes to health data environment in the UK 04/11/2021

(link to external ePay website)

10:00 - 13:00  UK Time    |    Online (Zoom)

About

Creating and running a PPI Group - Discusses how to advertise and recruit patient and public members, organise your first meeting and how to keep your PPI group running successfully and sustainably.

• Are you struggling with where to begin in setting up a PPI group?
• Are you wondering how to keep an existing panel going?
• Unsure if a panel is the best means of conducting PPI in your research?

Objectives

• Leave with a plan for your new or existing PPI group
• Know how to create adverts and role descriptions for your panel
• Understand how to keep running your group and make it sustainable.

Tutor

This course will be delivered by Carol Porteous, the Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement Advisor from Edinburgh Clinical Research Facility (CRF).  She will be joined by members of the CRF PPI Panel, who will provide a public/patient perspective on the themes discussed.

Cost

• Student rate (Matriculation Card required) = £40
• NHS Lothian/University of Edinburgh rate = £60
• Other academic/NHS rate = £90

There is a cancellation date of 25th October 2021.  You will be charged if you cancel after this date.

Book Now:  Creating and Running a PPI Group  08/11/21  (link to external ePay website)

10:00 - 11:30 UK Time    |    Online (Zoom)

About

The practical applications in Higher Education of the most recent social or technical development (MOOCs, social media, digitisation and online collaboration etc.) or regulatory changes (RCUK & HEFCE OA policies, new copyright exceptions) has led to a new level of complexity vis-à-vis Open Access and Copyright compliance.

Copyright and licensing training is an important way to build confidence, awareness and staff skills, enabling them to provide information services in compliance with the law and open educational resources.

This Copyright and Licensing training course is well-suited to those who require a basic understanding of copyright law, licensing, and open educational resources. For those who already have some knowledge of copyright law and licensing, this course can serve as a refresher. Opportunities for questions and discussions will be ample.

This 1.5 hr training course provides an introduction to copyright including:

• Components and duration of UK copyright law
• Public domain
• UK copyright exceptions related to teaching & research
• Licences and how they allow specific re-use of copyright protected works
• Copyright risk assessment

Tutor

This session will be run by Stephanie (Charlie) Farley. Charlie is our Open Educational Resources (OER) Advisor for Educational Design and Engagement.

Cost

**This course is free for University of Edinburgh and NHS Lothian staff and students.**

• Student rate (External to UoE/NHS Lothian) = £15
• Other Academic/NHS rate (External to UoE/NHS Lothian) = £25

Day 1 - Tuesday 16th November 2021    |     10:15 - 16:00  UK Time    |    Online (Zoom)

Day 2 - Wednesday 17th November 2021    |     10:00 - 16:30  UK Time    |    Online (Zoom)

About

The 8th Edinburgh Clinical Research Methodology Course.

A two-day online course providing a comprehensive overview of the methods and frameworks currently required to perform cutting-edge clinical research.

The course will consist of interactive online lectures and opportunities for delegates to network with distinguished researchers, all of whom are recognised experts in their field.

Aimed at practitioners at all levels from all disciplines (medical, allied health professionals, nursing and midwifery staff and scientists) who have an interest in or are actively engaged in clinical research.

Cost

Registration fee = £100

There is a cancellation date of 2^nd November 2021. You will be charged if you cancel after this date.

Book now:  ECRMC  16/11/2021 - 17/11/2021 (link to external ePay website)

10:00 - 12:30    |    Online (Zoom)

About

This course is intended primarily for lab staff who handle human samples but is also suitable for research nurses and other staff who regularly process bloods, use centrifuges and store samples.

University of Edinburgh clinical research labs that analyse samples from Clinical Trials of Investigational Products (CTIMPs), ie drug trials, must comply with the principles of GCLP and these labs are open to inspection by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

However, it is desirable for staff in any lab, or area that handles and stores human samples, to be aware of GCLP and comply as far as possible.

Tutors

Scott Denham

Natalie Homer

Costs

• Student rate (Matriculation Card required) = £40
• NHS Lothian/University of Edinburgh rate = £60
• Other academic/NHS rate = £90

There is a cancellation date of 8th November 2021.  You will be charged if you cancel after this date.

Book now:  GCP for Laboratories  22/11/2021  (link to external ePay website)

10:00 - 12:00 UK time    |    Online (Zoom)

About

At the end of this practical workshop, you will have produced a first draft Data Management Plan (DMP) for your research project. You will understand the basic components of a good DMP. As this course is specifically for researchers involved in Clinical Trials, we will use the MRC template and guidance as the basis for this. Other relevant funders such as Cancer Research UK and the Wellcome Trust will also be briefly discussed.

The course will cover the following topics:

• What is Data Management Planning?
• Why does it matter?
• An introduction to DMPonline
• What data will be collected or created?
• How will the data be documented and described?
• How will the data be stored, backed-up and secured?
• How will ethics and intellectual property be handled?
• How, when and where will data be preserved and shared?
• Who is responsible and what will it cost?

Upon completion of this course, attendees will:

1. Understand the necessity/benefits of producing a DMP;
2. Know how to use DMPonline;
3. Have drafted a basic DMP that they can complete after the course.

Prior to the course, attendees should register on DMPonline, https://dmponline.dcc.ac.uk/ as they will be drafting a DMP using this online platform. It would also be helpful if you could bring a project outline on which to base your draft DMP. This could be for a past, current, or future project.

Tutor

Kerry Miller

Cost

• University of Edinburgh/NHS Lothian staff/students = £ FREE OF CHARGE
• External student (non-UoE/NHSL) = £30
• Other academic/NHS = £60

For industry rates - email Education@edinburghcrf.ed.ac.uk.

There is a cancellation date of 11th November 2021.  You will be charged if you cancel after this date.

Book now:  Data Management Planning  25/11/2021  (link to external ePay website)

10:00 - 13:00  UK Time    |    Online (Zoom)

About

Are you applying for grant funding from a major funder or charity?  Do you want to work with patients and public on your grant application but aren't sure how or aren't sure how to evidence it?  In this course, we will explore what grant funders' requirements are in terms of PPI, when you should be seeking patient and public input and how and where to include PPI in the grant application.  This course is for you if:

• You are looking to find out what funders such as the Wellcome trust and NIHR expect in terms of Patient Public Involvement (and engagement);
• You want to know how to truly incorporate meaningful PPI into the design and delivery of applications;
• You want to know how to work with Patient co-applicants;
• You want to be able to evidence your PPI activities in your funding application; and
• You want to know what activites you be involving people in. 

Objectives

By the end of the course, researchers should have:

• A better understanding of where to involve patients and the public and what funders' PPI expectations are
• A plan for completing their funding application
• A plan of PPI activities for their research project

Tutor

This course will be delivered by Carol Porteous, the Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement Advisor from Edinburgh Clinical Research Facility (CRF).  She will be joined by members of the CRF PPI Panel, who will provide a public/patient perspective on the themes discussed.

Cost

• Student rate (Matriculation Card required) = £40
• NHS Lothian/University of Edinburgh rate = £60
• Other academic/NHS rate = £90

There is a cancellation date of 15th November 2021.  You will be charged if you cancel after this date.

Book now: Grant Applications and PPI 29/11/21 (link to external ePay website)

09:30 - 12:30 UK time    |    Online (Zoom)

About 

Health economics is still seen as a bit of a dark art by some, but it is increasingly important in clinical research, funding applications and communicating the value of research. This session will introduce the key concepts behind health economic evaluation, the motivation for undertaking health economics in a climate of resource scarcity and describe briefly a few of the philosophical debates in health economics at the moment which are particularly relevant to early career clinical researchers. 

Learning objectives:

• Obtain a good overview of the major theoretical and practical approaches to health economics in the UK
• Understand the relationship between clinical trials and health economics, and between health economics and clinical implementation on the ground
• 'Know what you don't know' - understand when and where speaking to a health economist might be valuable

Tutor

• Alex Bates

Cost

• Student rate (Matriculation Card Required) = £40
• NHS Lothian/University of Edinburgh rate = £60
• Other academic/NHS rate = £90

There is a cancellation date of 17th November 2021. You will be charged if you cancel after this date.

Book now: Intro to Health Economics 01/12/21 (link to external ePay website)

09:30 - 12:30 UK Time    |     Online (Zoom)

About

This virtual workshop is for experienced research personnel who have completed an Introduction to Good Clinical Practice within the last 2 years and require an update. 

By the end of this workshop, you will be provided with:  

• Update on the changing UK legislative framework for CTIMPs 
• Refresher of your understanding of Good Clinical Practice 
• Opportunity to share good practice and reflect on your own experience 

***Please note, places are limited, and priority will be given to those working or studying in the Lothians 

Cost

This course is free for students, academic and NHS staff based in Scotland. 

To book a place, please email the Education Core: education@edinburghcrf.ed.ac.uk   

(Please include:  Name, Job title, Department, Employing organisation)

09:00 - 16:30 UK Time    |    Online (Zoom)

About

This one day online course is designed either for those who have not studied Good Clinical Practice (GCP) before or those who have studied it more than two years ago. It is presented as a practical introduction to the subject and consists of a mixture of short lectures interspersed with practical activities, culminating in a monitoring workshop. The monitoring workshop allows the more abstract concepts that have been discussed throughout the day to be brought to life.

While the principles of GCP that are covered in the course are common to a wide range of different types of clinical research, the course does focus on the drug trial specific legislation. However, it also promotes the ‘GCP-mindset’ needed to satisfy inspectors and auditors and would, therefore, be useful for all clinical researchers.

This ICH E6 GCP Investigator Site Training meets the Minimum Criteria for ICH GCP Investigator Site Personnel Training identified by TransCelerate BioPharma, Inc. as necessary to enable mutual recognition of GCP training among trial sponsors. 

Tutors

• Jo Merrifield
• Fiona Mitchell

***Please note, places are limited, and priority will be given to those working or studying in the Lothians 

Cost

This course is free for students, academic and NHS staff based in Scotland. 

To book a place, please email the Education Core: education@edinburghcrf.ed.ac.uk  

(Please include:  Name, Job title, Department, Employing organisation)