WCG Webinars and Podcasts

1. Highlight Reel: Virtual Site Training In Clinical Trials - The New Standard 3/24/2021

   Before 2020, most study training provided to clinical research sites relied heavily on monitors doing training at initiation visits, and web-based on-demand training was a novel concept used by only a few forward-thinking sponsors. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, web-based on-demand training became a must-have, not a nice-to-have. Don't have time to watch the full Virtual Site Training webinar? Check out our 10-minute webinar highlight reel to learn more about the differences between in-person and on-demand training, and the benefits of virtual training.

2. Virtual Site Training In Clinical Trials: The New Standard 3/24/2021

   Before 2020, most study training provided to clinical research sites relied heavily on monitors doing training at initiation visits, and web-based on-demand training was a novel concept used by only a few forward-thinking sponsors. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, web-based on-demand training became a must-have, not a nice-to-have. In this on-demand webinar, learn how combining on-demand training with web-based meetings has become the new training best practice for clinical trials.

3. Striving For Reliability: Optimizing Patient-Reported Data Through World-Class Design Management 10/1/2020

   Can patients be trained to report their symptoms more accurately? With proper design and implementation, you can structure clinical trials, such as pain management studies, so that patients learn how to better report their symptoms. During COVID-19 sponsors have had the opportunity to examine ways to introduce new technologies, such as telehealth, to clinical trial operations and to use more science-based tools for evaluating the performance of clinical trials.

4. Jeffrey Borghoff: Finding Joy And Purpose After An Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Diagnosis 10/1/2020

   At 51, Jeffrey Borghoff was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. What would devastate many people turned Borghoff into an advocate. The former software architect and developer is now a national spokesperson for the Alzheimer's Association and board member of the Greater New Jersey chapter. In this podcast, he talks about how the diagnosis forced him to reprioritize his life. “I've been pretty successful at that. I've been leading a very purposeful, engaging, joyful life.” With his care partner—his wife, Kimberly—he travels around the country making the case for research funding—and for clinical trial participation.

5. On The Future Of Schizophrenia Trials: Part 2 Of Transforming CNS Trials Series 10/1/2020

   Remote assessments have become a necessity across CNS trials, but some areas are more complicated than others. Schizophrenia provides one such example; the risk of variability is high, and sponsors are concerned. PANSS—the gold standard rating scale for schizophrenia primary outcomes—is based largely on face-to-face interviews; it wasn’t developed for remote assessments. Is it still usable? The answer is addressed in this podcast.

6. On The Future Of Psychiatric Disorders: Part 1 Of Transforming CNS Trials Series 10/1/2020

   The switch to remote methodologies as a response to COVID-19 has had a profound effect on the conduct of psychiatric disorder trials. Supporting these remote trials requires new tools, sophisticated technology and, most important, deep scientific and clinical expertise. COVID-19 has forced everyone involved in psychiatric trials to reconsider not only the tools and technology they use, but the entire patient encounter.

7. Site/Sponsor Partnerships In The New Normal – How Sanofi’s SMILE Program Drove The Changes We Need Now 9/23/2020

   Now, more than ever, the partnership between sites and sponsors is essential, as we all navigate the changing site environment and workflows necessitated by COVID-19. With its acclaimed “SMILE” (Sanofi Making Investigator Lives Easier) program, Sanofi led the industry in building up those critical partnerships in 2019.

8. The True Problem Of COVID-19 Misinformation: How The Spread Of Inaccurate Information Harms Our Progress Toward New Therapies 8/27/2020

   The problem of the spread of scientific misinformation is very real. We’ve probably all seen stories on social media about COVID-19, or anonymous testimonies from alleged healthcare providers, some of which seem obviously untrue. This webinar considers how misinformation about clinical trials, treatments and vaccines can impact research progress.

9. Now Is The Time: Making Your Clinical Trial More Resilient 8/27/2020

   The problem of the spread of scientific misinformation is very real. We’ve probably all seen stories on social media about COVID-19, or anonymous testimonies from alleged healthcare providers, some of which seem obviously untrue. This webinar considers how misinformation about clinical trials, treatments and vaccines can impact research progress.

10. Public Awareness Of Clinical Research And The Path To Diversity In Clinical Trials 8/5/2020

    COVID-19 and the effort to develop treatments and vaccines for COVID-19 have brought awareness of clinical trials into the public view like never before. What impact is that discussion having on the public’s understanding of clinical trials as part of the drug development process? In addition, there’s been extensive conversation about ensuring COVID-19 treatment studies include an appropriately representative population. How can we advance this important discussion to achieve diversity in research study enrollment?