From: Message from Steven Shea and David Hirsh [irboffice@columbia.edu]
Sent: Thursday, October 21, 2010 12:33 PM
To: Roselin, Joel Mark
Subject: New Human Subjects Protection Training Requirements
To: Columbia Human Subjects Research
Community
Subject: Two New Human Subjects Protection
Training Requirements
Date: October 21, 2010
Columbia University is committed to the highest ethical and compliance standards when it comes to the protection of human subjects who participate in Columbia research. In keeping with best practices, we are launching two new mandatory training requirements: (1) mandatory refresher training in the protection of human research subjects for all human subjects researchers (effective March 31, 2011); and (2) mandatory training for all clinical research coordinators (effective January 1, 2011).
1. Refresher Training for All Human Subjects Researchers
Many of our peer institutions have implemented refresher training requirements in the protection of human subjects for all human subjects researchers. Columbia similarly will be implementing a refresher training requirement to be in full effect by March 31, 2011.
As you may know, in Spring 2009, the University switched its Human Subjects Protection (HSP) training requirement to the web-based Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) for new human subjects researchers. Since then, more than 4,000 Columbia researchers have completed CITI training.
Now, all Columbia researchers who have not already completed the CITI training course must do so as refresher training, even if they took a Columbia HSP (GCP) training previously. The CITI course includes seven modules and takes 3-4 hours to complete. It does not need to be completed in one sitting and can be completed at your convenience.
As of March 31, 2011, the IRB may not approve an initial human subjects research protocol, or a modification or renewal of an existing protocol unless all researchers listed on the Data Sheet have completed CITI training.
Once the 7-module CITI training has been completed, an abbreviated CITI refresher training will be required every three years. Those researchers who have already completed CITI training will be notified when the time for refresher training approaches.
The CITI Human Subjects Protection course can be accessed through the Rascal Training Center: Course TC0087: Human Subjects Protection Training, https://www.rascal.columbia.edu/login/tc0087/. A list of frequently asked questions about Human Subjects Protection training can be found at http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/dept/irb/education/documents/RevisedCITI_FAQs101910.pdf on the IRB website, http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/dept/irb/. If you have questions about the new requirements, please contact the IRB at irboffice@columbia.edu or the Office of Research Compliance and Training at research-compliance@columbia.edu.
2. Clinical Research Coordinator Training
Columbia's new Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) training requirement takes effect January 1, 2011. The objective of the CRC Training Program is to review the roles and responsibilities of the CRC, including regulations concerning documentation, data management and other requirements, as well as the specifics of conducting research at CUMC. The program consists of 5 video podcast presentations, available online, and self-study of the Clinical Research Handbook [http://evpr.columbia.edu/content/clinical-research-handbook]. An assessment must be completed in the Rascal Training Center.
The CRC Training Program is open to all research personnel who are involved in work with human subjects or collection and maintenance of study data. It is mandatory for individuals who participate in clinical human subjects research that involves more than minimal risk and who are designated under "Personnel Staff" on any Rascal Human Subjects Protocol Data Sheet as having one of the following roles:
- Study
Coordinator
- Research
Coordinator
- Research
Nurse
- Regulatory
Coordinator
- Data
Manager
- Research
Assistant
As of January 1, 2011, the IRB may not approve an initial protocol or a modification or renewal of an existing protocol unless the Data Sheet indicates that all such CRCs have completed the CRC Training Program. No such CRC may commence conducting or continue to conduct any research activities under any protocol prior to obtaining IRB approval.
The CRC Training Program can be accessed
through the RASCAL Training Center:
Course TC0098: Clinical Research Coordinator
Mandatory Training [https://www.rascal.columbia.edu/login/tc0098/].
If you have questions about this new requirement, please contact the Clinical
Trials Office at CTOinformation@columbia.edu
or the IRB at irboffice@columbia.edu.
Information and a link to the policy for training of CRCs is available at http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/dept/irb/education/index.html#CRC.
Thank you for your attention to these important matters.
Sincerely,
David Hirsh
Executive Vice President for Research
Steven Shea
Senior Vice Dean, College of Physicians and
Surgeons