Regulatory & advocacy
A holistic approach to clinical trial training accelerates time-to-market for a pharmaceutical company
Healthcare & life sciences
Challenge
The pharmaceutical industry operates under strict regulations, requiring employees to stay informed about the latest guidelines to ensure their work is both safe and effective. As a result, training programs in this field must be current and innovative to meet these high standards, prioritize safety, and enhance efficiency while keeping patient costs manageable. When a top-15 global pharmaceutical company set out to establish a new internal training team dedicated to clinical trial training, they recognized the need for more than just extra hands–they required expertise to help build a solid foundation capable of driving long-term, transformational initiatives. To achieve this, learning solutions had to be delivered and completed through faster, more predictable cycles, enabling teams to meet ambitious goals, foster sustainability, and accelerate time to market.
The newly established learning development and delivery team was charged with revolutionizing how research and development approached and implemented training for a global audience of over 5,000 employees. These employees spanned 26 distinct roles across 14 functional areas, each with unique roles and responsibilities related to clinical trial delivery. The cultural shift aimed to transition from a traditional "read and sign" onboarding model to role-based, lean learning integrated into the flow of work, optimizing both learning time and retention. To tackle these challenges, they needed a partner to assist in refining and strengthening their approach to training development by building a sustainable team with well-defined processes and procedures.
Solution
Cynuria partnered with the team to create engaging, transformative learning experiences and learning journeys that inspire clinical trial professionals to become lifelong knowledge seekers. The initial goal was to build a comprehensive role-based learning library that facilitated experimental, social, and formal learning. This library aligned content with specific roles and the end-to-end clinical process empowering learners to grasp workflows, key interactions, and the impact of their contributions. It also addressed critical knowledge gaps by providing a fundamental understanding of the clinical process, reducing blind spots where issues are most likely to occur.
The approach was transformative: (1) develop a systematic program that would overhaul outdated, manual methods of document-based training, (2) reimagine how content could be delivered to ensure timeliness and effectiveness, and (3) leverage a more engaging approach to encourage connectedness across employees and silos.
Providing expertise in program development
The Cynuria team provided the additional resources and expertise needed to transform the team’s capacity and enable them to build the infrastructure they needed to thrive. From the start, our team of curriculum design experts connected closely with their team to uncover the gaps in their current approach. By ensuring a thorough understanding of the organization’s operations, we provided guidance, mentorship, and thought leadership on curriculum design development to help them leverage their existing resources and basic approaches and integrate them into an innovative solution. The Cynuria team of experts determined the steps needed to develop and support organizational maturity.
To develop some key metrics and enhance the effectiveness of the training program, our team implemented a comprehensive evaluation approach across multiple levels. First, we developed a Kirkpatrick Level 1 survey to be deployed with every learning event, capturing immediate learner feedback and insights. This feedback was centralized into a dynamic dashboard, providing real-time access to performance trends and participant satisfaction metrics.
Additionally, all courses were equipped with a Level 2 knowledge assessment, ensuring that each module reinforced key concepts and allowed participants to validate their understanding. We also designed a Kirkpatrick Level 3 evaluation strategy and methodology, which delved deeper into the impact of the learning on participant behaviors and performance.
Building a strong foundation
Our team worked closely with the organization’s internal team to establish alignment and a cohesive project structure, ensuring seamless collaboration between Cynuria’s design and development experts and the organization’s internal team. Together, we recognized the importance of clear processes and standardized documentation to streamline training development and enhance delivery effectiveness. Our role extended beyond simply offering manpower or technical expertise–we focused on fostering growth within the learning organization. This involved transitioning from an informal learning environment to a more formalized approach, ultimately laying the groundwork for the organization's evolution into a comprehensive talent and performance support model.
Creating multimodal solutions
Driven by the power of innovative solutions, our team collaborated with the newly formed training team to redefine their approach to learning within the organization. This collaboration led to the creation of a role-based learning library, including 24 initial eLearning courses tailored to key roles across prioritized R&D functions. To complement these courses, we developed a series of 22 role-based videos featuring employees who provided insights into their roles. These videos highlighted each role’s purpose, core responsibilities, key collaborators, and essential tips for new hires to succeed.
To address a critical knowledge gap in understanding the end-to-end clinical process, our team designed and delivered a multi-module learning solution. This solution aimed to empower learners to articulate how clinical studies are implemented and identify their specific contributions within the process.
For employees who thrive in interactive environments, we introduced virtual lunch-and-learn style, facilitator-led sessions. These conversational training sessions fostered collaboration and engagement, offering employees an opportunity to connect with peers beyond the content housed in their newly implemented knowledge management system.
Results
This collaboration led to a remarkable transformation. What started as a small team with ambitious goals evolved into a robust learning organization grounded in a solid foundation of tools, processes, and documentation designed to deliver impactful learning experiences across the organization. The framework we implemented equips the clinical trial training team to ensure consistent training quality, provide a modernized learner experience, and adapt to the ever-changing demands of the industry and organization. Most importantly, the team now has a sustainable, scalable training approach to support the organization’s future growth and success.
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