Principles of clinical research: AO PEER debuts self-directed, online version of popular course at AO Davos Courses 2020
The AO Program for Education and Excellence in Research (AO PEER) recorded a resounding—and ongoing—success with the premier of the self-directed, online version of its popular principles of clinical research course at the first-ever fully online AO Davos Courses 2020, December 3–6, 2020.
Seventy-seven participants of 31 nationalities and from 39 countries are taking part in the first of eight course modules that continue into 2021. Focusing on the importance of research and evidence-based medicine as well as the relevant ethical considerations and guidelines for good clinical practice (GCP)—and incorporating a unique approach that pairs each participant with a mentor—the course covers a wide array of clinical research-related topics.
From how to formulate a clinical research question to practicing skills related to critical literature review, working with a statistician, and navigating AO PEER, the course topics are aimed at making participants’ research projects successful. Additionally, learners have access to an interactive forum for exchanging thoughts and challenges.
The course makes it possible for AO PEER to reach more remote countries where the program had not previously offered courses. To date, it has participants from all five AO regions and a vast number of countries including Colombia, Finland, Ghana, Moldova, Qatar, Singapore, the United States, and Switzerland.
Participants’ feedback so far has been very positive: “Excellent course,” one participant said, while another remarked, “I liked the content of the course, mainly the quiz parts.”
Another participant emphasized that the course changed his way of thinking about research.
"I always thought that doing research is simple, just selecting a topic, deciding what you want to do and implementing it. But after this lecture, I know how evidence-based medicine helps us by finding what is still lacking and what can be changed or made better in clinical area," he said. "Apart from that, now I also know how to do a literature review, including which articles are most important to check before starting research."