Driven by its commitment to operational excellence and advancing clinical research, PHRI is proud to be among the first to roll out CANTRAIN’s Common Core Foundation (CCF) training program which provides foundational knowledge on key aspects of clinical trial conduct.
Nearly 15 Research Project Coordinators (RPCs) from five different PHRI programs, all of whom joined between 2023 and mid-2024, participated in the training. To enhance the learning experience, PHRI introduced two Peer Group Learning Sessions that encouraged group discussions, highlighted key takeaways from the CANTRAIN program, and linked them to real-world applications in PHRI’s research. These one-hour sessions were coordinated by Kristen Grubic, PHRI’s Research Development and Education Advisor, and facilitated by Jennifer Swanson and Kim Simek, PHRI Research Project Managers.
Kirsten Grubic
“At PHRI, we are committed to fostering a culture of learning and professional growth through various initiatives. This fall, we explored the CANTRAIN training platform, focusing on Stream 2 for Clinical Research Professionals. We also had Peer Group Learning sessions that integrated PHRI’s perspective with the program’s content,” stated Grubic.
“Initiatives like this empower our staff, helping them strengthen their research skills and advance their careers at PHRI.”
The CCF program consists of 11 courses addressing various topics including study oversight and monitoring, data management in clinical research, participant safety and adverse events, recruitment, ethics and informed consent, drug discovery and development, patient engagement in research, and clinical trial protocols.
“The CANTRAIN program was a great opportunity because it reinforced my existing knowledge base of clinical trials and helped deepen my understanding of key processes, from study design to regulatory considerations,” shared Pyper Olver, a Research Project Coordinator I with the Perioperative program at PHRI. “I valued how the program offered a variety of resources including course materials, practical tools, and mentorship opportunities from experts in the field”
This successful collaboration between PHRI and CANTRAIN sets a strong example for other clinical trial units within ACT to utilize these resources in strengthening their research capacity.
“We hope this is the beginning of many future cohorts, and that it inspires other research teams across the country to adopt similar training and knowledge-sharing practices,” said Ipsita Banerjee, ACT National Training Coordinator.
PHRI remains committed to professional development and capacity building as it continues to address current and emerging healthcare challenges worldwide. By empowering its researchers and staff, PHRI is advancing the conduct and outcomes of clinical trials in Canada and beyond.
