A fruitful collaboration has been established between The Swiss TPH (Tropical and Public Health) and CANTAM for the organisation of a one-week training workshop of clinical research monitors.

During this week, participants from several African countries discussed in depth how to monitor and ensure the safety and reliability of clinical trials.

This certification course covered the following topics:

• Study and site management: supervision, study communication, staff and resource management.
• Research procedures: data flow, clinical and laboratory operations, interaction with the public and/or participants.
• Scientific thinking: Concepts of research design and planning, Operationalisation of protocols.
• Ethics, quality and risk management: Safeguards, quality assurance, regulation and governance.
• Professional skills: Language and communication, organisational skills, work organisational skills, work ethics, record keeping.

Trained candidates will be monitored online to assess individual strengths and weaknesses and to customise a self-learning strategy.