Clinical Trials Intensives

Palliative Care Intensives in Clinical Trials

Applications are now being accepted. Scroll down for information.

These three-day intensives seek to provide a foundation in practical aspects involving the conduct of randomized clinical trials in palliative care.  They are designed for early career researchers or other mid-career researchers and health professionals interested in developing competence in the planning, design, and execution of randomized clinical trials. 

Instruction will include a combination of focused lectures, demonstrations, individual and group consultations with experts in the field, and small group work. The curriculum will enable participants to:

• Describe the principles underlying the conduct of unbiased clinical trials.
• Identify the unique challenges posed by behavioral randomized clinical trials (RCTs).
• Evaluate RCT designs in terms of their appropriateness to scientific and clinical goals.
• Select appropriate strategies for enrollment, randomization, and retention.
• Understand methods for monitoring, coordinating, and conducting RCTs.
• Develop basic strategies for appropriate statistical analyses of RCT data.
• Design an RCT with your working group on an assigned topic.
• Better understand the process used in NIH Study Sections to review clinical trials.
• Work with an interdisciplinary team to design a project.

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FEBRUARY 2020!

Event Information: February 3-5, 2020, Rizzo Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Attendees may check into the hotel on February 2nd.

Download the application 

Application Deadline: October 30, 2019, 11:59pm PT.

Application: Please send the application and your NIH Biosketch to NGallopyn@mgh.harvard.edu by October 30th, 2019.

Selection Criteria: Applicants must be PCRC members (or must apply for membership) and will be selected based on demonstrated commitment to advancing palliative care and end of life research, working with the PCRC infrastructure, commitment to conducting PCRC-based research in the future, and potential impact of the intensive on applicant’s career trajectory.

Cost: The cost of the program is supported by the PCRC: hotel reservations will be coordinated and paid for by the PCRC. Attendees will receive up to $700 to cover remaining travel-related expenses (airfare, meals, and ground transportation). Expenses will be reimbursed after program completion. Expenses in excess of this amount or unallowable by NIH or MGH policy must be covered by the attendee.

Please Note: A separate Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD) Clinical Trials Intensive will be occurring later in the Spring, 2020. Details for the ADRD Clinical Trials Intensive will be forthcoming.