Summer Institute on Design and Conduct of
Randomized Clinical Trials
Involving Behavioral Interventions

Frequently Asked Questions

Links to RCT Information

Last updated on:
December 31, 2002

Contact:
Ronald Abeles
OBSSR

	We are offering the course in 2003. Information and application instructions are now posted. To receive future announcements, please join the listserv!
	Objective To provide a thorough grounding in the conduct of randomized clinical trials to researchers and health professionals interested in developing competence in the planning, design, and execution of clinical trials involving behavioral interventions.
	Dates and Location The course will begin at 6:00 PM on July 29, 2001 and end at about 5:00 PM on August 10, 2001. Participants must attend the entire period. The course will be held at the Airlie Conference Center in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Northern Virginia, providing a serene atmosphere for work and thought in a community of scholars. Airlie, VA is approximately 60 minutes driving time from Washington, D.C., and is close to recreational areas such as Shanandoah National Park and Luray Caverns.
	Course Content Outlines of lectures. See the Resource Binder for more information about the course content, schedule, conference center, faculty, fellows, and bibliography. The curriculum will enable participants to: Describe the principles underlying the conduct of unbiased clinical trials. Contrast biomedical vs. Behavioral interventions in the context of RCTs. Evaluate and interpret critically the literature on RCTs for behavioral interventions. Contrast and evaluate alternative research designs in terms of their appropriateness. Contrast and evaluate methods for monitoring, coordinating, and conducting RCTs. Select appropriate outcome measures, enrollment strategies, and randomization techniques Design a specific research proposal in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team.
	The Organizer, Faculty, and Advisory Group The Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is organizing and providing financial support for this course. Faculty and Advisory Group consist of leading authorities in their fields, with extensive prior experience in the conduct of major clinical trials, with specializations in psychology, behavioral medicine, psychosomatic medicine, gerontology, oncology, cardiovascular diseases, statistics, clinical trials, and other areas. See the Faculty (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader) and Advisory Group rosters for additional information.
	Eligibility Requirements for Summer Fellows Priority will be given to individuals with a doctoral or medical degree and a minimum of two years post-degree research experience. Due to the limited number of spaces in the course, applicants must be citizens or non-citizen nationals of the United States, or must have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence (i.e., possess a currently valid Alien Registration Receipt Card I-551, or other legal verification of such status). Women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Reasonable Accommodations: If you require reasonable accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Ronald P. Abeles, Ph.D., 301-496-7859 or abelesr@od.nih.gov, between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM Eastern Time at 30 business days before the course begins.
	Costs and Stipends The Office of Behavioral Sciences Research, NIH, will pay for travel to and from the Summer Institute site, room and board, and for course materials. There are no additional fees. Family members may accompany participants at their own costs.
	Application Procedures We are offering the course in 2003. Information, including the application instructions and form, is posted at http://obssr.od.nih.gov/Conf_Wkshp/RCT/RCT_Info.htm.
	Additional Information Join the electronic mailing list for forthcoming announcements by sending an e-mail message to listserv@list.nih.gov. The body of the message should read SUBscribe RCT-L [your full name]. The message is case sensitive; so capitalize as indicated! Don't include the brackets. The subject line should be blank For example, for Robin Smith to subscribe, the message would read SUBscribe RCT-L Robin Smith You will receive a confirmation of your subscription along with instructions on how to use the LISTSERV and how to unsubscribe. Visit the HomePage for periodic updates.