Improving the Qualification of Investigators and their Delegates
Is Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training by itself the right approach for investigator qualification? Redundant training too often creates an unnecessary burden for site teams and limits the opportunity for more valuable, protocol-specific learning, and preparation.
CTTI thinks there is a better approach. Building on many years of work on GCP and other investigator training, CTTI's most recent recommendations and resources recognize previous training and experience, identify gaps in knowledge and skills, and improve understanding of how to apply GCP principles to the conduct of clinical trials.
Sponsors must select investigators who are qualified and trained experts to investigate a drug, biologic (21 CFR 312.50 and 312.53), or device (21 CFR 812.40 and 812.43) in a clinical trial. To meet this requirement, sponsors often require all investigators, regardless of their previous experience and training, to take GCP training and training for each individual protocol. This often results in investigators and their staff being required to take GCP training multiple times each year, each taking hours to complete, which uses resources and drives up trial costs. No standards exist for the format, frequency, or assessment of GCP training. In addition, little evidence has been collected to determine whether GCP training actually provides the knowledge and skills to equip investigators to conduct quality clinical trials.
Investigators and their delegates will be qualified to conduct trials in an efficient manner without the burden of redundant or ineffective training. Research sponsors will experience increased efficiency in trial conduct by devoting resources only to preparatory activities that contribute to the quality of trial conduct.
Results from the literature search indicate that the following topics are usually included in GCP training:
The literature did not contain information regarding the optimum frequency for GCP training and demonstration of competency. Most programs did include additional elements such as operational and regulatory compliance with GCP, OHRP regulations, and human-subject research ethics. Variations in the assessment of competency of GCP training were noted: frequency (ranged from 1 to 3 years), certification/testing, and different requirements based on program structure or job function.
Experts explored the 13 elements to GCP training outlined in the ICH E6 and commented that training components should be meaningful rather than only serving the function of fulfilling regulatory requirements. Attendees also agreed that streamlining GCP training would allow more time to be focused on protocol-specific training for investigators. Results from a job analysis survey conducted among individuals serving three types of clinical research functions (coordinators, monitors, and investigators) suggest tailoring GCP training and evaluating GCP knowledge as it pertains to each clinical function. The value of applied knowledge (i.e., giving trainees what they need to perform their job better) was stressed.
Results from the literature review were detailed on a poster presented at a DIA annual meeting. These results paired with comments and suggestions from the expert meeting informed CTTI’s official GCP Training Recommendations.
As part of the follow-on Investigator Qualification Project, CTTI convened an expert meeting in December 2017 to discuss further action that can be taken to inform the efficient and effective qualification of site investigators and their delegates. Meeting attendees discussed the need to shift the focus from individual investigators to the entire site team, as well as a need for mentorship, just-in-time training, and peer-to-peer networks to support site personnel in their roles. They also explored the possibility of more quality measures for qualification, an accreditation process, more patient-centric training, and better communication between and within sites.
CTTI then worked with experts and leaders across the clinical trials enterprise to develop recommendations and resources to improve the quality of trial conduct through optimized approaches to qualifying investigators and their delegates. These recommendations were released in November 2018.
Role![]() |
Name | Affiliation | Project |
---|---|---|---|
Executive Committee Champion | Dalvir Gill | TransCelerate | Investigator Qualification |
Project Manager | Annemarie Forrest | Clinical Trials Transformation Initiative | Investigator Qualification |
Social Science Lead | Teresa Swezey | Clinical Trials Transformation Initiative | GCP Training & Investigator Qualification |
Team Leader | Molly Flannery | Food and Drug Administration | Investigator Qualification |
Team Leader | Christine Pierre | Society for Clinical Research Sites | Investigator Qualification |
Team Leader | Sabrina Comic-Savic | The Medicines Company | Investigator Qualification |
Team Leader | Suzanne Pattee | Food and Drug Administration | Investigator Qualification |
Team Leader | Janette Panhuis | Population Health Research Institute | Investigator Qualification |
Team Leader | Veronica Todaro | Parkinson’s Foundation | Investigator Qualification |
Team Leader | Kristen Miller | Food and Drug Administration | Investigator Qualification |
Team Leader | Jimmy Betchel | Society for Clinical Research Sites | Investigator Qualification |
Team Leader | Susan Ellenberg | University of Pennsylvania | GCP Training |
Team Leader | Bridget Foltz | Food and Drug Administration | GCP Training |
Team Leader | Susan McHale | AstraZeneca | GCP Training |
Team Leader | Jonathan Seltzer | ACI Clinical | GCP Training |
Team Leader | Stephanie Shapley | Food and Drug Administration | GCP Training |
Team Member | Gretchen Wild | St Jude Medical | GCP Training |
Team Member | David Ciavarella | Becton Dickinson | Investigator Qualification |
Team Member | Tina Chuck | Northwell Health | Investigator Qualification |
Team Member | Catherine Dillon | Medical University of South Carolina | Investigator Qualification |
Team Member | Bridget Foltz | Food and Drug Administration | Investigator Qualification |
Team Member | Kathy Goldstein | Regeneron Pharmaceuticals | Investigator Qualification |
Team Member | Kate Haratonik | Genentech - a member of the Roche Group | Investigator Qualification |
Team Member | Patricia Hurley | American Society of Clinical Oncology | Investigator Qualification |
Team Member | Emily Lemons | PMG Research, Inc | Investigator Qualification |
Team Member | Rob Mentz | Duke University | Investigator Qualification |
Team Member | Jean Mulinde | Food and Drug Administration | Investigator Qualification |
Team Member | Louise Thurman | IPS Research | Investigator Qualification |
Team Member | James Kremidas | Association of Clinical Research Professionals | |
Team Member | Christine Hildebrand | Amici Clinical Research | |
Team Member | Natasha Phrsai | Northwell Health | |
Team Member | Christina Brennan | Northwell Health | |
Team Member | Jamie Arango | Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative | GCP Training |
Team Member | Tina Chuck | Feinstein Institute for Medical Research | GCP Training |
Team Member | Colleen Gorman | Pfizer Inc | GCP Training |
Team Member | Joanne Less | Food and Drug Administration | GCP Training |
Team Member | Kristen Miller | Food and Drug Administration | GCP Training |