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.

July 9-21, 2006

July 15-27, 2007

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. Lodging, meals, and instruction will take place here.

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 project in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team.

Example of Schedule with Lectures from 2005.

Columbia University and Mt. Sinai School of Medicine  (NY, NY)  are organizing  this course with financial support and guidance from the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). 

Faculty of summer institutes 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, mental health, statistics, clinical trials, and other areas.

See Faculty for 2006.

Priority will be given to individuals who already have their PhD or MD (or equivalent degrees) and have at least two years of subsequent research experience.  Applicants should not yet have achieved a tenured position at their institution.  Beyond these eligibility criteria we are seeking researchers who have demonstrated research potential and experience and who will clearly benefit from behavioral randomized controlled trial training.

Further, those who have extensive research experience will only be considered after more junior investigators have been evaluated.  Preference is also given to individuals who are not employees of NIH.  While we will consider and may even accept “exceptional” applicants who do not meet these criteria, priority will go to those who do.

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 for disabilities to participate in this activity, please contact Ms. Michaela Shank at  (212) 342-4494  between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM Eastern Time, or via e-mail at mds2114@columbia.edu  at least 60 business days before the course begins.

The Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research, NIH, will pay for travel to and from the Summer Institute site, room and board, and for course materials. Family members may accompany participants at their own costs.

Applications for 2006 are now closed.

Due Date: January 31, 2006.

• Applications must be submitted via e-mail.

• Click here for application form.

• Fellowship invitations will be sent via email on or after March 31,  2006.

• Join the listserv in order to receive announcements regarding the current and future Summer Institutes.

• Frequently Asked Questions and Answers.

• Continuing Education for Psychologists and Continuing Medical Education Credits.

Accreditation will be determined in 2006.

• Physicians: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of The National Institutes of Health/Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences (NIH/FAES), Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Columbia University.  The NIH/FAES is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

• Psychologists: Contact Michaela Shank at 212.342.4494 for further information.

1. LISTSERV: Join the electronic mailing list for forthcoming announcements by sending an e-mail message to listserv@list.nih.gov.
    

1. 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.

2. The subject line should be blank

3. For example, for Robin Smith to subscribe, the message would read SUBscribe RCT-L Robin Smith

4. You will receive a confirmation of your subscription along with instructions on how to use the LISTSERV and how to unsubscribe.
    

2. Visit the HomePage for periodic updates.

3. Read the Questions and Answers page!

4. Contact Dr. Karina Davidson for substantive questions about the course:

 kd2124@columbia.edu or
telephone 212-305-5427