Introduction to Clinical Research
Wednesday 11 - Thursday 12 March
Courses
Wed 11 - Thu 12 Mar
| 2 Day Event
Wed 08:30 - Thu 16:30
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
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Research is part of the ‘core business’ of the NHS, helping to develop new treatments, new priorities and improve patient care. All trainee physicians are required to demonstrate an understanding of research processes and data management, as part of Wider Professional Practice. This course is aimed mainly at early- to mid-years medical trainees (IMT2/IMT3/ST4/ ST5) to give an introductory overview of research processes, research opportunities and critical appraisal, as part of specialty training and beyond.
The course will cover:
Day 1: Research process and types of study types • Designing a study • Constructing a protocol • Applying for funding• Approvals & ethics • Academic career pathways – ‘How we got into research.’
Day 2: Presenting your study to the funding panel • Project and data management • Analysing your data• Writing an abstract • Writing up and publishing your results • • Introduction to critical appraisal.
Join us on this course and, through expert-led sessions and practical guidance, you will gain insights into:
- Understand the principles of research, research methods & academic writing
- Understand the principles of ethical conduct and consent in research
- Learn how to critically appraise medical literature
By the end of the course, you’ll leave with a clear understanding of how to navigate the research landscape and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of clinical knowledge.
Organising Committee
Dr Roanna Hall
Dr Alixe Kilgour
Dr Eve Miller-Hodges
Event Poster
Day 1 - Wednesday 11 March 2026 - Getting started
| 08:30 | Registration and Coffee |
Session 1 - Chair, Dr Eve Miller-Hodges
| 09:00 | Introductions and welcome Dr Eve Miller-Hodges, Senior Clinical Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in Inherited Metabolic Diseases and Renal Medicine, University of Edinburgh |
|---|---|
| 09:30 | The research process and types of study Dr Alixe Kilgour, Consultant & Honorary Senior Lecturer in Medicine of the Elderly, NHS Lothian & University of Edinburgh |
| 10:00 | Designing a study - clinical trials Professor Matt Reed, Honorary Professor, University of Edinburgh and Consultant & NRS Fellow in Emergency Medicine, NHS Lothian |
| 10:45 | Break |
Session 2 - Chair, Dr Roanna Hall
| 11:00 | Applying for Funding Dr Robert Hunter, Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Career Development Fellow & Honorary Consultant in Renal Medicine, University of Edinburgh/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh |
| 11:40 | Constructing a protocol Professor James Dear, Reader, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh |
| 12:10 | Designing a study - routine healthcare data Speaker TBC |
| 12:40 | LUNCH |
Session 3 - Chair, Dr Eve Miller-Hodges
| 13:45 | Approvals & ethics Dr Eve Miller-Hodges, Senior Clinical Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in Inherited Metabolic Diseases and Renal Medicine, University of Edinburgh |
|---|---|
| 14:15 | Practical ethical review - group work |
| 14:45 | Feedback and discussions on group work |
| 15:15 | Break |
Session 4 - Chair, Dr Alixe Kilgour
| 15:30 | Designing a study - group work |
Academic career pathways - vignettes from researchers - Chair, Dr Alixe Kilgour
| 16:30 | Dr Alixe Kilgour, Consultant & Honorary Senior Lecturer in Medicine of the Elderly, NHS Lothian & University of Edinburgh |
|---|---|
| 16:50 | Dr Tom Caparrotta, ECAT, SCREDS Clinical Lecturer, University of Edinburgh & Snr Registrar, Clinical Pharmacology, Stroke Medicine, General (Internal) Medicine, NHS Lothian |
| 17:10 | Close of day one |
Day 2 - Thursday 12 March 2026
Session 1 - Chair, Dr Eve Miller-Hodges
| 08:30 | Registration and Coffee |
| 09:00 | Present your study to the funding panel Dr Eve Miller-Hodges, Dr Alixe Kilgour, Dr Roanna Hall |
| 09:30 | Project management and data management Dr Meghan Perry, Consultant Physician and Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer in Infectious Diseases and General Internal Medicine, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh |
| 10:15 | Analysing your data Dr Andrew Chapman, Senior Lecturer, University of Edinburgh & Consultant Cardiologist, NHS Lothian |
| 11:00 | Break |
Session 2 - Chair, Dr Alixe Kilgour
| 11:15 | Writing up and publishing your results Dr Roanna Hall, Consultant Geriatrician, NHS Lothian |
| 11:45 | Writing an abstract and group work Dr Angus Gane, Specialist Trainee Neurology, NHS Lothian |
| 12.30 | Group evaluation and discussion of the abstracts Dr Eve Miller-Hodges, Dr Roanna Hall, Dr Alixe Kilgour, Dr Angus Gane |
| 13:00 | Lunch |
Session 3 - Chair, Dr Roanna Hall
| 14:00 | Brief introduction to critical appraisal Dr Thulani Ashcroft, NHS Lothian and University of Edinburgh |
| 14:45 | Critical appraisal - group work |
| 15:45 | Critical appraisal feedback and summarise main learning points Dr Thulani Ashcroft |
| 16:15 | Summing up Dr Alixe Kilgour |
| 16:30 | Close of course |
Please note that on occasion event programmes may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances
Not a Member of RCPE? By joining the College, you can save up to 100% on event fees for our symposia, courses and Evening Medical Update programme. Find out more about joining the College and our membership benefits via our membership webpages.
Booking for this event closes on Wednesday 25 February 2026 to allow pre-course reading material to be issued to registered delegates. Places may still be available after that date - please contact the event co-ordinator for further information.
Places are restricted, so please book early to avoid disappointment.
| Standard Fee | £255 |
| RCPE Fellows, Collegiate Members & Associate Members | £175 |
| RCPE Foundation Member | £160 |
Invoices: If you wish your employer/organisation to be invoiced for this event, please contact the event co-ordinator. Payment via invoice is not available while booking online.
Cancellation/Refund policy: If you have to cancel your place within 4 days of this event, we regret that we are unable to provide a refund.
Booking Terms & Conditions: Please read the College’s full event booking T&Cs regarding event changes, CPD, and data protection.
Certificates: All relevant events are approved for Continuing Professional Development (CPD). To receive a CPD certificate delegates must have completed the online feedback survey. The survey will close 28 days after the original event on the 7 April 2026, with certificates being issued shortly after this. Certificates cannot be issued after the survey has closed.
Catch-up: Registered delegates can view this event on catch-up for up to 6 months following the live event until 11 September 2026. Please note that in-line with Federation rules, the CPD period is for 28 days post live-event, therefore, in order to obtain a CPD certificate for viewing this event you must have viewed the talks and completed the online feedback survey by 7 April 2026 . Certificates cannot be issued after the survey has closed
Joining us in the College:
Photography: A professional photographer may be in attendance at this event. Photographs may be used by the College in digital and printed publicity material. If you do not wish to be photographed, please let a member of staff know at the registration desk.
Access: A wheelchair lift, and internal lift are in place at the College, allowing access to the conference centre and historic rooms. However, as a listed building, there are some meeting rooms that have restricted access. For further information and assistance, please contact the event coordinator responsible for the event
Prayer room: We provide a prayer room at all our hybrid/In-person events, and a member of staff will be able to direct you to this space on the day of the event.
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Event information
Courses
Wed 11 - Thu 12 Mar
| 2 Day Event
Wed 08:30 - Thu 16:30
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
Are you a Fellow or a Member? Sign in to get member prices
Sign in to get member prices