Building Capability to Deliver Clinical Trials

Abstract

Clinical Trials allow researchers to try out new treatments, tests or procedures that may prevent, treat, detect or diagnose diseases. South West Healthcare has a Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) which has been in operation since 2016 and has facilitated in excess of 40 studies in that time. The CTU has displayed steady growth over this period of time, and has integrated processes and systems in parallel with this growth. A regional position poses many challenges in the service and delivery of a clinical trial. One of the challenges is establishing a workforce that has the knowledge, skills and experience capable of undertaking clinical trials effectively, efficiently and safely. The CTU aims to facilitate the delivery of clinical trials, and that can be done in varying ways depending on the type and complexity of the trial. The Research Department, in which the Clinical Trials Unit is positioned in, is leveraging a number of resources, partnerships and programs with the aim of developing a capable workforce within the Unit, as well as informing and assisting the wider organization so that the south western regional community continues to have access to clinical trials. The CTU is partnering with other organisations, investing time in internal training, utilizing available training resources and programs, connecting with peer groups and collaborating with trial sponsors to build that capability. The long term investment in developing capability aims to create a workforce which has the experience and tools to retain the knowledge gained for both current and future personnel, and create a culture of continued learning.