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Representation in Clinical Trials

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Representation in Clinical Trials

Instructor: Novartis Learning

3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

18 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

4 hours to complete

3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

18 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

4 hours to complete

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Assessments

4 assignments

Taught in English

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

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There are 3 modules in this course

In today’s increasingly globalized world, ensuring that clinical research reflects the populations it aims to serve is more crucial than ever.

This course provides an introduction to representation in clinical trials. Over three weeks, you will learn about why this topic is important in clinical research, common barriers and challenges to participation of underrepresented populations, how conscious and unconscious biases can appear, and the consequences this can have on clinical research. Throughout the course, you’ll hear firsthand insights and perspectives from experts in the field as well as practical guidance and self-reflective activities. This course is aimed at clinical trial investigators, sites, and teams, as well as anybody who would like a better understanding of how to strengthen and broaden outreach when recruiting representative populations in clinical research.

Week One provides an introduction to the importance of representation in clinical trials. You will learn about why disparities in healthcare exist, how treatments affect different populations, and you will undertake a self-reflective activity about your understanding of diversity and biases.

What's included

3 videos3 readings2 assignments

3 videosTotal 10 minutes

Introduction to Diversity and Clinical Trials2 minutes
Health disparities in clinical research3 minutes
Importance of diversity in clinical trials4 minutes

3 readingsTotal 30 minutes

Definitions of key terms5 minutes
An Identity Wheel15 minutes
How treatments affect different populations10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 35 minutes

End of week one assessment15 minutes
Reflect on your views20 minutes

Week Two explores the barriers and challenges that may prevent historically underrepresented populations from participating in clinical trials. You'll also learn about the various reasons some groups and communities may have for a lack of trust in healthcare institutions and the clinical trial process.

What's included

3 videos3 readings1 assignment

3 videosTotal 14 minutes

Barriers and challenges to participation6 minutes
Common reasons for mistrust4 minutes
Building trust around data and safety4 minutes

3 readingsTotal 50 minutes

Additional reading on barriers and challenges20 minutes
Reasons for mistrust in clinical research10 minutes
Additional reading on mistrust20 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes

End of week two assessment15 minutes

Week Three looks at the topic of bias. You'll gain an understanding of conscious and unconscious bias, as well as some common ways this shows up in clinical research. Finally, you'll learn about ways to recognize and reduce personal biases with some self-reflective activities.

What's included

4 videos6 readings1 assignment

4 videosTotal 12 minutes

Conscious and unconscious bias4 minutes
Consequences of bias4 minutes
Recognizing and reducing bias2 minutes
The Five Whys exercise1 minute

6 readingsTotal 75 minutes

Introducing bias10 minutes
Implicit bias training15 minutes
Bias in clinical research10 minutes
The Five Whys exercise15 minutes
Combating personal bias10 minutes
Revisit and reflect on your views15 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes

End of week three assessment15 minutes

Instructor

Instructor ratings

(5 ratings)

Novartis Learning

Novartis

4 Courses35,956 learners

Offered by

Novartis

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Reviewed on Nov 24, 2025

Greater understanding of aspects when it comes to Bias in a trail and environment

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Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.