Short course

Analyses of Clinical Trials, Interpretation and Communication of Trial Findings

This short course will focus on the final stages of a trial and will equip you with the skills to understand the principles and correct interpretation of analyses, and appropriate presentation of results incorporating real-trial data.

Start date
19 - 23 February, 4 - 8 March 2024
Duration
10 days
Mode
Face-to-face
Cost
Home - £1,130 International - £3,170
Level
Postgraduate Microcredential
Credit
20 credits

Overview

This short course is available as an optional module on the PGCert when taken alongside the following modules. Either:

  • Rationale for Clinical Trials, Key Concepts and Features
  • Selection, Collection and Reporting of Trial Outcomes
  • Early Phase Clinical Trials

Or:

  • Rationale for Clinical Trials, Key Concepts and Features
  • Design and Delivery of Further Clinical Trials

It can also be taken on a stand-alone basis.

Content

This short course focusses on the final stages of a trial, after patients have been recruited and treated and outcome data collected.  The course provides an overview of how statistical methods are used to reach conclusions from a trial’s data, drawing examples from a variety of clinical areas, types of data and analysis methods. The focus is on understanding the principles and correct interpretation of analyses, and appropriate presentation of results, rather than the implementation of statistical methods.  A range of problems arising in the analysis of trials will be covered, including missing data, non-compliance and interaction effects, and the impact of such problems on the interpretation of results will be considered.  The course will also focus on problems in the interpretation of traditional trials, and some potential solutions.  The process of publication and dissemination of trial results will be examined, and the longer-term use of trial findings, including incorporation of trials into meta-analyses and systematic reviews, health economic analyses, and use in clinical guidelines and decisions about service provision, by bodies such as NICE. Throughout the short course, concepts will be illustrated with real trials, and a major theme will be critical evaluation of published trials.  There will be a mix of lectures, facilitated small group discussions, and assignments.

Method of Teaching

The course involves a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical classes/workshops and guided independent study. 

Learning Outcomes

On completion, you should be able to: 

  • Explain the rationale and main features of methods of statistical analysis used in parallel randomised controlled trials
  • Recognise the need for health economic evaluations within trials and interpret the main findings of such evaluations
  • Identify common problems that arise in the analysis of trials and propose appropriate solutions to minimise bias
  • Critically evaluate the design and analysis of published trials and interpret the results of statistical analyses to reach justified conclusions
  • Explain the principles of trial reporting and justify why certain features need to be reported; effectively present trial data, results and conclusions through oral and written communication
  • Describe how trials’ results are used to inform guidelines for clinical practice and decisions about service provision


Attendance Required

2 block week of teaching

Dates

19 - 23 February, 4 - 8 March 2024

Assessment

  1. 2000-word extended writing (60%)
  2. Exhibition/poster display (20%)
  3. 1500-word critical appraisal (20%)


Academics involved in the delivery of this module

Professor Simon Gates
Peter Fletcher

Stand Alone Course 

Fee

Please contact the programme team at clinicaltrialsmsc@contacts.bham.ac.uk for further information.

Entry requirements

Knowledge of basic statistics (e.g. confidence intervals and P values)

To apply please contact the programme team at clinicaltrialsmsc@contacts.bham.ac.uk