Training Specialists for Clinical Research and Research Support
—An Innovative Clinical Research Education Program-The Development of Clinical Research Expert Special Program (CRESP) for the Kobe Area Biomedical Cluster—

Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University Hospital

This project is aimed at the fostering of clinical research and research support specialists through research support for graduate students from pre-graduation to life-long education, utilizing the affiliated hospitals' clinical education functions. Details are as follows:

1. Establish and implement a training system to foster clinical researchers and supporting staff through practical training at graduate school, etc.
2. Develop and implement an OJT-oriented training and education program for clinical research coordinators, with particular focus on pharmacists and nurses.
3. Develop and implement an education and research program to familiarize students with clinical research development procedures, including clinical trials.

Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine developed and implemented CRESP (Clinical Research Expert Special Program), to foster specialists capable of conducting high-quality clinical research that satisfies international standards. The target subjects are those who belong to the Kobe Area Biomedical Cluster. Built on the foundation made up of Kobe University School of Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, and Kobe University Hospital, this cluster includes the Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation, affiliated regional hospitals, neighboring medical universities including Kobe Pharmaceutical University.

CRESP is a new program for clinical researchers and supporting staff, independently developed by the Graduate School of Medicine for both students and clinical researchers. The features of the program are as follows:

1. Enhance and expand the existing education curriculum.
2. Take an interdisciplinary approach to meet a wide range of occupational abilities.
3. Incorporate the "4th Hurdle" process (investigate medical cost-effectiveness) into clinical tests.
4. Promote exchanges with advanced clinical research institutions in the Unites States, etc. by upgrading existing skill and knowledge to that of international standards.

The achievement will be returned to the regional community and its healthcare. The aim is to advance clinical research in Japan by contributing to the development of its infrastructure.