Investigator training is critical to the success of clinical trials, directly influencing key metrics such as study start-up timelines and protocol deviations. However, while clinical trials have evolved to utilize advanced technologies and processes, the investigator meeting format has remained largely unchanged for more than a decade. Industry experts increasingly advocate for replacing traditional lecture-style delivery with interactive formats that generate actionable insights to strengthen training strategies.
Why Data Matters in Training
Analyzing training data provides study teams with valuable insights into knowledge acquisition, gaps in understanding, engagement levels, and demographic trends. Without data, training effectiveness remains a guesswork exercise, leaving study teams vulnerable to delays and compliance risks. Ultimately, investigator meeting formats that don’t gather data are leaving study teams in the dark about how effective the training was at the individual and site level—and what to do next.
Planning for Relevant Data
A fundamental tenet of data analysis is that conclusions are only as strong as the data behind them—and this holds true for investigator training. In many cases, stakeholders relying on basic event technology only receive basic demographic information in return (name, company, contact information). Post-event surveys may add some context but still offer limited insights into actual training outcomes and future needs.
To enable meaningful analysis of investigator meetings, organizers must plan early. The following steps are critical to planning for relevant data collection during investigator meetings:
- Identify the key focus areas for the meeting: typically learning objectives such as enrollment criteria, protocol amendments, or safety considerations.
- Define supporting data: For example, evidence that investigators can accurately cite enrollment criteria.
- Choose data collection methods: Determine what data collection methods to deploy to gather the required data, such as focused polling questions or gamification. For instance, if a protocol amendment introduces new safety monitoring steps, data-driven polling can confirm whether investigators understand these changes before site activation.
Leveraging Engagement Technology
Audience engagement technology can deliver content interactively, improving knowledge transfer and retention while capturing data from each interaction. Skilled technology partners can analyze these metrics to identify site-level and individual knowledge gaps, highlight areas needing deeper training, and recommend interventions to reduce protocol deviations.
Impact on Protocol Deviations
Research and industry benchmarks confirm a strong correlation between assessment of investigator training and the reduction of protocol deviations. Focused analytics allow early identification of underperforming sites or individuals, enabling targeted retraining before deviations can occur.
For example, the Clinical Trials Transformation Initiative (CTTI) found that incorporating surveys, quizzes, and scenario-based workshops improved protocol adherence and reduced deviations.1 Another study reported sites using interactive training and post-training knowledge assessments experienced 20-30% fewer deviations in the first three months, compared to those using passive or generic training modules.2
Improved Outcomes
Thoughtfully designed investigator training that integrates interactive features and robust data collection enhances knowledge transfer and mitigates risks to clinical trials.
Want to learn more about improving investigator meetings? WCG Total Training, an end-to-end clinical trial training solution, can help you plan your investigator trainings with the engagement and analysis you need for better outcomes.
- "Optimizing Investigator Training: Impact on Protocol Compliance," CTTI White Paper, 2019.
- “Benchmarking Protocol Deviations in Clinical Trials," TransCelerate Biopharma, 2017.
