Clinical Research Institute (CRI)

Clinical Research Institute (CRI) www.aub.edu.lb/fm/cri

1 CRI Vision The CRI aims to become a regional leader in promoting and supporting innovative clinical research that fosters the highest quality patient care. CRI Mission To promote, support, and provide the infrastructure for innovative clinical research at the Faculty of Medicine at the American University of Beirut (AUB), and at its Medical Center (AUBMC). The CRI operates under the umbrella of the Office of the Associate Dean of Clinical and Translational Research at the Faculty of Medicine.

2 CRI Units and Centers The Biostatistics Unit (BSU) provides statistical support to faculty members through a wide range of services, including proposal development, and data analyses. The Clinical Epidemiology Unit (CEU) supports in planning, designing, and conducting systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and studies of health research methodology. The Clinical Research Unit (CRU) provides clinical investigators with nursing support, a patient encounter room, a physical assessment room, and a phlebotomy and blood processing area. The Research Education Unit (REU) offers a number of educational programs and a wide range of training workshops to individuals inside and outside AUB interested in medical research methodology. The AUB GRADE Center provides advocacy, training, and support for guideline development at the national, regional, and international levels, while contributing to guideline methods research.

3 CRI Programs The Faculty Advancement Program (FAP) aims at supporting junior faculty members in the Faculty of Medicine advance in their academic career by providing them with soft and hard skills necessary for clinical researchers. The Fellowship and Residency Research Program (FRRP) supports post-graduate clinical trainees (residents and fellows) at AUBMC in carrying out a research project throughout their training. The Medical Research Volunteer Program (MRVP) matches undergraduate students at AUB interested in medical research experience with clinical and basic science researchers. The Nursing Advancement Program (NAP) trains registered nurses at AUBMC in clinical research with the ultimate aim of supporting their involvement in clinical research projects. The Research Assistant Program (RAP) has been developed in collaboration with the Human Research Protection Program (HRPP)/ Institutional Review Board (IRB). The program aims at training research assistants in the proper conduct and management of clinical research. The Research Fellowship Program (RFP) supports research fellows at AUBMC in developing the knowledge and skills to conduct medical research projects.

4 CRI Partners GESI: The Global Evidence Synthesis Initiative (GESI) aims to develop the capacity of producing and using research synthesis among policy-makers and practitioners in low- and middle-income countries. HRPP: The Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) at AUB is responsible for the development, dissemination, and implementation of the university policies related to human research protection. It assesses the effectiveness and independence of the Institutional Review Boards of AUB, and ensures continuous education for investigators and research staff about the ethical conduct of research. SHARP: The Scholars in HeAlth Research Program (SHARP) provides graduates with the required foundation to pursue a career in clinical and translational research, focusing on non-communicable diseases (NCDs). SHARP offers both a certificate and an MSc. Degree in Health Research, both are jointly awarded by the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Health Sciences at AUB. SPARK: The Center for Systematic Reviews on Health Policy and Systems Research (SPARK) is a collaborative effort between the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) and the Faculty of Medicine (FM) at AUB. It produces systematic reviews that respond to national and regional health policy and system priority needs.

5 CRI Services Services offered by the CRI to entities outside AUB include research education workshops, tailored courses, as well as consultancy and coaching. 1-Research Education Workshops The CRI offers a wide range of research workshops, both pre-packaged and on demand. These workshops typically include a combination of interactive sessions, small and large group discussions, software demonstration, and hands-on exercises. The level of the workshops could be the tailored to either basic or advanced levels. Examples of pre-packaged workshops include: Conducting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: this workshop helps the audience understand how to conduct systematic reviews and meta-analyses following the Cochrane methodology.

6 Designing Search Strategies for Systematic Reviews: this workshop aims to develop skills needed for designing and reporting highly sensitive and specific search strategies for a systematic review. Development and Adaptation of Practice Guidelines: this workshop covers the process of developing guidelines in the clinical, public health and health services fields following the GRADE methodology. It also discusses local adaption of international guidelines. Qualitative Research: this workshop covers qualitative research including research approaches, data collection methods and thematic data analysis using hands-on applications and exercises. Quantitative Research: this workshop addresses the review process, formulating research questions, different study designs, data analysis, and reporting of research. Statistics Made Easy workshop series: These one-day workshops provide participants with an in-depth knowledge and practical use of SPSS for the beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.

7 2-Tailored Courses The CRI assists organizations in tailoring or creating specific training programs or workshops that address their clinical research areas of interest or need. 3-Consultancy The CRI provides consultancies for any matter relevant to training in or conducting clinical research.

8 Location and contact information Location: American University of Beirut Medical Center, Halim and Aida Daniel Academic and Clinical Center (ACC) - 3 rd Floor. Mailing address: American University of Beirut Medical Center P.O.Box: 11-0236, Riad El Solh 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon T: 01-350000 ext. 5452 Email: cri@aub.edu.lb Website: http://www.aub.edu.lb/fm/cri Twitter: @CRI_AUBMC

Stock Number xxx

Clinical Research Institute (CRI) Telephone: 01-350 000 ext 5452 Email: cri@aub.edu.lb Website: http://www.aub.edu.lb/fm/cri