The Joint Task Force (JTF) for Clinical Trial Competency Framework will share important feedback from more than 2,500 survey respondents at the ACRP 2016 Meeting & Expo, according to JTF Co-Chair Stephen Sonstein, PhD, director of Clinical Research Administration at Eastern Michigan University in Fort Myers, Fla.
“We’ll talk about definitions and perceptions of core competencies and their relevance,” Sonstein explains. The Task Force has also made an attempt to standardize role descriptions. An extensive review of those suggested competencies can be found in the June 2014 issue of Clinical Researcher.
It’s only an important start, Sonstein stresses. “Not all members of the clinical research team require the highest level competency in all of the areas,” he and coauthors write. However, “these harmonized core competencies can provide a basis for development of specific statements of knowledge, skills, and attitudes required by clinical research professionals in focused environments.”
Sonstein also emphasized that without industry feedback he’s concerned the Task Force could end up operating in a “vacuum.” He’s hoping ACRP conference attendees will provide validation and other input. The conference is a “unique opportunity to share ideas and get down to specifics when assessing core competencies,” Sonstein says.
For more on Sonstein’s ACRP 2016 Meeting & Expo Session, click here.
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