Workshop on Randomized Controlled Trials-RCTs

The objective of the workshop is to strengthen the knowledge of nurse educators in the area of Randomized Controlled Trials. Workshop began at 8.45am with an inaugural address by Dr. Anice George, Dean, MCON Manipal. She emphasized the need of continuing education programs in the professional development. Dean motivated the faculty to take up RCTs and pointed out the importance of RCT’s in evidence generation. The formal workshop began with a session on ‘Introduction to RCTs’ and ‘Blinding in RCTs’ by Mr. Vishnu Renjith, PhD Scholar, the session was moderated by Dr. Anice George. 

The second session was on ‘Community Trials’ by Dr. Veena G Kamath, Professor and HOD of Community Medicine, KMC Manipal. She highlighted on the need and importance of community trials and field trials.

The third session in the forenoon was on Randomization process and techniques for RCT by Dr. B Unnikrishnan, Associate Dean, KMC Mangalore. He highlighted the importance of randomization, various ways of reporting the techniques used while writing & publishing articles.

The last session in the morning was on ‘Classification of RCTs’ which was covered by Mr. Nageshwar and Ms.Renu, PhD scholars of MCON Manipal. The afternoon session started with ‘Bias in RCTs’ by Mr. Aldrin Vas, PhD Scholar and the session was moderated by Dr. Judith A Noronha, Associate Dean, MCON Manipal. Dr. Judith reinforced on the need of avoiding selection bias and how to report the findings. The next session was on ‘Analysis of RCTs’ by Dr. Binu V S, Associate Professor, Department of statistics, Manipal Academy of Higher Education. He explained analysis of RCTs with problem solving exercises.  

The third session in the afternoon was on ‘Protocol writing and Registration of RCTs’ by Ms. Shejila C H, PhD scholar, MCON Manipal. She demonstrated how to complete the registration of a trial. The last session of the day was by Mr. Ramesh C, PhD Scholar of MCON Manipal described on ‘CONSORT guidelines’ and ‘Critical appraisal of RCTs’ which was moderated by Dr. Baby S Nayak, Professor & Research Coordinator PhD studies. This session was concluded with a group work. There were a total of 40 participants registered for the workshop. The participants were divided into 5 groups consists of 8 members in a group. All the participants involved actively in the group activities. Dr. Anice George, Dean, Manipal College of Nursing, Manipal congratulated the organizers and she expressed her wish as each department will come out with at least one RCT in the next academic year. The workshop came to an end at 5.00 pm. Ms.Renu G, PhD Scholar MCON Manipal, proposed the vote of thank. Mr. Aldrin Vas, PhD Scholar was master of the ceremony for the workshop.