The University at Buffalo Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) and the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) South Carolina Clinical & Translational Research (SCTR) Institute collaborated to present a one-day virtual workshop on remote trials on November 9, 2021.

The biennial Creative Scientist Workshops are not standard conferences. The facilitated workshop format employs a creative problem-solving approach now being used by NSF, NIH and NCATS to catalyze scientific innovation. The workshop will include a series of keynote presentations (and Q&A) in the morning followed by small-group, interactive sessions in which content from earlier in the day will be applied to designing and reimagining example trials.

The keynotes and Q&A sessions are open to all registrants. However, because the afternoon sessions will be highly interactive, only a limited number attend the afternoon sessions. Registration materials will be reviewed by the planning committee in late October to select participants for the small-group interactive sessions (based on responses to questions in the registration form and availability to participate in the entire workshop). We particularly encourage registration by active researchers/scholars/administrators affiliated with CTSA institutions and collaborating partners, representatives of funding agencies, and industry experts.

Workshop participants learn state-of-the-art frameworks and approaches, as well as strengths, opportunities, and challenges for remote trial methods, via a series of keynote addresses by speakers from throughout the CTSA network and beyond. In addition, participants “return home” from the virtual event better equipped to develop innovative, collaborative projects and proposals to advance translational science and best practices in the area of remote trial methods.

During the afternoon, participants collaborate with others in small-group, interactive sessions focused on designing and reimagining example trials. The sessions will highlight evidence-base approaches, reveal critical barriers and needs, and provide attendees with opportunities to propose creative solutions for the next generation of observational and clinical trials.