https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2730-2853
Currently, most deaths worldwide are attributable to cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD),1 despite major advances in CVD preventive medicine. Evidence is still needed in many areas of diagnosis, treatment, outcomes and patient experience of CV services, and randomized controlled trials are regarded as the gold standard of evidence-based medicine and important to inform guideline recommendations.
Education and research are key pillars of the ESC's Strategic Plan. To promote and facilitate expanding research activities in Europe, the Working Group on Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy & the Association of Cardiovascular Nursing & Allied Professions (ACNAP) have devised an educational programme that will train and certify CV health care professionals (including doctors, nurses, and allied professionals) who wish to further their career in the field of clinical research: the ‘All About Clinical Trials’ course. The content has been developed with an emphasis on methodological issues regarding design (including patient and public involvement), delivery, and the interpretation and implementation of data. The course also includes certification in ‘Good Clinical Practice’.
Originally, the All About Clinical Trials course was launched in 2015, and since then more than 700 participants have attended the courses with 350 having received certification in ‘Good Clinical Practice’. This is the first edition of this course that will be delivered in collaboration with ACNAP. This collaboration will aim to reach a larger and more diverse group of healthcare professionals central to the successful design and delivery of clinical trials by extending the content and scope relevant to the ACNAP membership comprising nurses and allied professionals.
Unmet needs
Clinical trials are at the heart of guideline recommendations and clinical decisions. Understanding clinical trial design, trial conduction, and data analysis are key to gain insight into clinical research methodology. In recent years, new design modalities have been gaining acceptance among both trialists and regulators. The field is developing rapidly, and physicians, nurses, and allied professionals must keep pace with these important advances, as they are key players in both the design and conduction of clinical trials.
Objectives
The aim of the AACT course is to help participants gaining insight into methodological issues regarding study design and trial conduction, as well as to provide the attendees with a solid basis for the interpretation of trial results. The course will also highlight newly proposed clinical trial methodologies as well as discussing regulatory requirements.
Expected deliverables
The AACT course is expected to improve the participants’ competency and confidence in
designing and planning successful clinical trials;
evaluating and following the correct processes and regulatory procedures;
effectively analyzing and interpreting trial data;
Good Clinical Practice (GCP)—the AACT course will provide a review of the fundamentals of GCP and deliver the relevant certification.
The AACT course will give an insight into all aspects of clinical trials: from design to implementation and evaluation of results. The programme will be on escardio.org
Onsite Training Course in Oslo, Norway 12–13 December 2024.
Register now 
or on Escardio.org.
