Wednesday, 30 May 2012

Online Clinical Research Coordinator Courses and Training Information

Clinical research coordinators help manage and ensure the integrity of patient-oriented research into new drugs, medical products and treatments. Online courses orient clinical research coordinators to their role on the medical research team and cover such topics as human anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, pharmacology, ethics and project management. Courses can be part of a program leading to a certificate or associate's degree.

Overview of Online Clinical Research Coordinator Courses and Training

Both Associate of Applied Science and Certificate of Completion programs in Clinical Research Coordination (CRC) cover clinical research site and data management, study design and regulatory compliance. Certificate programs are geared toward those who already possess sufficient experience and education in the healthcare field, and they focus solely on core CRC skills. Associate's degree programs offer additional general, professional and healthcare-specific education. Much of the coursework toward these designations can be completed online, but programs often have internship requirements that must be met in person.
In order to become certified by the Society of Clinical Research Associates or Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP), clinical research coordinators must pass an exam and meet professional experience requirements. The ACRP offers continuing education credits online through Web seminars (www.acrpnet.org).

Course Requirements

Participation in online courses requires regular access to an up-to-date computer with a high-performance processor and Internet connection. A high-resolution monitor, sound card and speakers help properly display media. Online programs also require students to have a personal e-mail account, word processing program and Acrobat Reader.

List of Online Clinical Research Coordinator Courses

Clinical Research Principles Course

This course provides an overview of the clinical research process, its functions, history and development. Students learn project management skills and clinical practice guidelines. They learn about research team member roles, typical study designs and developmental phases of clinical trials.

Medical Ethics Course

Professors introduce students to the values employed by the field of medical ethics, including autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, dignity and honesty. Students consider how to develop a framework for making ethical decisions informed by these values and the law. They discuss such ethical issues as favorable cost-benefit ratio, participant selection, informed consent and confidentiality.

Medical Terminology Course

This course covers standard medical terminology used in the clinical research field. Students learn vocabulary relevant to anatomy, bodily systems, diagnostics, therapies, surgery, pharmaceuticals and medical devices. This knowledge enhances their effectiveness with managing data and ensuring quality control.

Health Information and the Law Course

Students get an overview of clinical research guidelines and regulations that aim to protect human subjects and ensure research integrity. They learn about obligations of regulatory groups, research sponsors and principal investigators. Students also discuss the types of violations that constitute as scientific misconduct and consider the consequences.

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