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Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

A Grant-Based Experiment to Train Clinical Investigators: The AACR/ASCO Methods in Clinical Cancer Research Workshop

Daniel D. Von Hoff, Gary M. Clark, Charles A. Coltman, Mary L. Disis, S. Gail Eckhardt, Lee M. Ellis, Margaret Foti, Elizabeth Garrett‐Mayer, Mithat Gönen, Manuel Hidalgo, Susan G. Hilsenbeck, John H. Littlefield, Patricia LoRusso, H. Kim Lyerly, Neal J. Meropol, Jyoti D. Patel, Steven Piantadosi, Dean A. Post, Meredith M. Regan, Yu Shyr, Margaret A. Tempero, Joel E. Tepper, Jamie Von Roenn, Louis M. Weiner, Donn C. Young, Nu Viet Vu

Clinical Cancer Research · 2021

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Summary

This paper reports a 19-year evaluation (1996–2014) of the Methods in Clinical Cancer Research Workshop, a joint AACR/ASCO training initiative for clinical oncology investigators. The workshop combined didactic instruction, small group discussions, protocol development sessions, and mentoring to train 1,932 clinicians in clinical trial design, conduct, and ethical oversight. Participants showed significant knowledge gains (P < 0.001), with 92–100% of submitted protocols rated ready for IRB review; long-term follow-up indicated sustained research productivity, with >92% of trainees remaining active in patient-related research and 66% implementing five or more protocols post-workshop.

UK applicability

The training model and curriculum could inform professional development programmes for UK clinical oncology researchers and trial methodologists, particularly regarding standardised training in trial design, regulatory compliance, and protocol development. However, direct application would require adaptation to UK-specific ethical frameworks (Research Ethics Committees rather than IRBs) and NHS governance structures.

Key measures

Pre- and post-workshop examination scores; student workshop evaluations; faculty ratings of protocol readiness for IRB submission (percentage); proportion of students actively involved in patient-related research at follow-up; number of protocols implemented per student

Outcomes reported

The study evaluated the effectiveness of a workshop training programme for clinical oncology investigators, measuring improvements in knowledge, protocol quality, and subsequent research productivity. Outcomes included pre/post exam scores, faculty ratings of IRB-ready protocols, and long-term tracking of student research involvement and protocol implementation.

Theme
Policy, governance & rights
Subject
Other / interdisciplinary
Study type
Research
Study design
Programme evaluation with longitudinal follow-up
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
United States
System type
Human clinical
DOI
10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-21-1799
Catalogue ID
BFmor3gfca-z4i2b5

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