2009 Clinical Trials Methods Course

ACS Headquarters and the Wyndham Chicago Hotel
Chicago, Illinois
November 13–17, 2009

The American College of Surgeons Surgical Research Committee is sponsoring the ninth Clinical Trials Methods Course from November 13–17, 2009, at ACS headquarters and the Wyndham Chicago hotel in Chicago, Illinois.

This course teaches the methodology of design and implementation of a controlled clinical trial and is recommended for surgeons who plan to engage in clinical research at a leadership level. Course content addresses the development of concepts and skills necessary in the design, implementation, and analysis of randomized clinical trials; funding mechanisms and budget development; outcomes (medical, patient-centered); and the dissemination of results through publication. Small teams work with experienced surgeons and biostatisticians to develop group proposals for clinical trials during the five-day course.

New in 2009

The 2009 clinical trials didactics will be based on four successfully conducted clinical trials published in the literature. The three clinical trials will be distributed ahead of time to all participants.

• Based on comments of previous participants, two lectures in basic statistics will be given. These lectures will also be based on the three distributed trials.
• Online registration

Course objectives for the 2009 Clinical Trials Methods Course are: 1) To provide surgical investigators with the concepts necessary to develop a protocol for a clinical trial that is fundable by a peer-reviewed agency; 2) To highlight the statistical concepts necessary to design a clinical trial; 3) To delineate the design and implementation issues unique to performing surgical trials; and 4) To foster collaborative efforts necessary to conduct a clinical trial.

The program features lectures and small-group breakout sessions on the following subjects:

• Design and types of clinical trials
• Determining the research hypothesis and research components
• Statistical concepts, inference, hypothesis testing, and sample size
• Developing a study proposal
• Experimental design for a randomized clinical trial
• Publication—including dissemination of results and ownership of data
• Interventions and endpoints
• Planning measurements
• Trial management
• Clinical trials methods analysis
• Industry-funded trials
• Ethics issues
• Peer review and funding sources
• Presentation of proposals and critiques

General Information

All sessions will be held at the American College of Surgeons headquarters/Wyndham Chicago hotel, 633 North St. Clair Street, Chicago, IL. Spouse/guest attendance is strongly discouraged. The course begins early each day and, due to the intensity of the program, no free time is allocated. All attendees are expected to remain until the conclusion of the course.

The course fee is $2,495 ($2,250 for completed registration forms and payment received by Friday, September 4, 2009) and includes course materials, breakfast and lunch for the course duration, and one group evening meal. Participants are responsible for transportation, hotel charges, and dinner for the remaining evenings. Registration confirmation is contingent upon payment of the course fee and is subject to availability. Attendance is limited to 50 participants, and preference is given to members of the American College of Surgeons. The submission deadline is Friday, September 25, 2009.

Cancellations and Refunds

Participants who find it necessary to cancel their registration will receive a full refund, less an administration fee of $250, provided written notice of the cancellation is received by close of business on Friday, September 11, 2009. Registrants who cancel after Friday, September 11, 2009, will not receive a refund unless an alternate from the course’s official waiting list can be confirmed. Such refunds will be prorated based on the College’s liability.

Housing Information

A room block has been reserved at the Courtyard by Marriott Magnificent Mile located across the street from the College’s headquarters building. The hotel rate is $219 per night, plus a 15.4 percent tax. This special rate is not guaranteed after October 16, 2009. Further information regarding travel and hotel arrangements will be mailed with notification of application acceptance.

Accreditation

The American College of Surgeons is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

CME Credit

The American College of Surgeons designated this educational activity for a maximum of 37 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Course contact: Mary Fitzgerald can be reached via phone at 312-202-5319 or e-mail at mfitzgerald@facs.org.

Please click on the links below for the preliminary course schedule, the course faculty listing, and the 2007 course bibliography. Online registration is available.

  

Overview | 2009 Course Schedule | 2009 Course Faculty
2007 Course Bibliography | Online Registration

 

Revised August 4, 2009