ArticleBMC medical education2025
Development, implementation, and evaluation of an innovative clinical trial operations training program for Africa (ClinOps).
Article in BMC medical education, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- A literature review and reflection on clinical trials: current challenges, future directions, and potential strategies to overcome practical barriers.AME clinical trials review · 2026Article
- Developing a Delphi-Consensus Evaluation Framework for Clinical Research Training: A Chinese Model With Global Implications.Journal of medical education and curricular developmentArticle
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
15 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundAfrica's involvement in clinical trials remains very low. Although the crucial role of training initiatives in building clinical trial capacity in Africa has been documented, current efforts fall short as they lack alignment with local contexts. This study aimed to design, develop, implement, and evaluate an innovative clinical trial operations training program for Africa.
methodsWe developed ClinOps, a novel 10-week clinical trial operations training program for study coordinators in Africa to enhance their expertise in four fundamental areas: designing, conducting, managing, and reporting clinical trials. To streamline the learning process, we used cloud-based applications that minimize the need for software installations while maximizing student engagement. VoiceThread facilitated interactive content that could be accessed offline. Moodle, an open-source learning management system, offered a platform for sharing learning tools, mentorship, and rubric-driven competency assessments, including quizzes, forums, tutorials, and group assignments. We utilized Zoom for live tutorials and mentoring as required. Effectiveness of the program was evaluated through quantitative pre- and post-surveys, qualitative end-course evaluations, and a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework. The pre- and post-surveys measured changes in trainees' confidence in clinical trial domains and leadership and coordination skills. End-course evaluations gathered feedback on the course content, organization, technology, and instructional methods. We used Wilcoxon rank test to analyze pre- and post-survey scores and thematic analysis to analyze the qualitative data.
resultsIn the initial cohort, 88 study coordinators from 19 countries participated, including 56 (64%) females, with 57 (65%) actively employed as study coordinators during the training, and 85 (97%) possessing prior experience in clinical trial roles. Among these, 71 (81%) successfully completed the course, with 69 (97%) also completing the post-course assessment. Post-training scores demonstrated substantial improvement compared to pre-training scores in each competency area, including in designing (pre-post training median score = 3.6 vs. 4.6, median difference = 1.0, 95% CI 0.8-1.1, p < 0.001), managing (pre-posttest median score = 3.4 vs. 4.2, median difference = 0.6, 95% CI 0.4-0.8, p < 0.001), conducting (pre-post training median score = 3.9 vs. 4.7, median difference = 0.9, 95% CI 0.6-1.0, p < 0.001), and reporting (pre-posttest median score = 3.0 vs. 4.5, median difference = 1.0, 95% CI 0.9-1.5, p < 0.001) clinical trials. The monitoring and evaluation data confirm the program's adherence to training best practices, including alignment with local priorities, country ownership, pedagogic innovation, institutional capacity building, sustainability, and ongoing partnerships. The end-course evaluation reflects participants' positive feedback on the program's structure, content, relevance to their current roles, and overall delivery methods.
conclusionThe ClinOps program, designed by experts from academia and product development partners, enhanced participants' clinical trial competencies. To effectively build clinical trials capacity on the continent, training programs should provide thorough competency development in designing, conducting, managing, and reporting trials.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.