Competencies Achieved

The University of Pittsburgh has identified the core competencies of clinical researchers in the pharmaceutical sciences (see our 2011 publication in AJPE). Our interactive tool details the skills that all students within the Clinical Pharmaceutical Scientist program achieve through graduate training and can be used to differentiate this training from traditional graduate and fellowship programs.

Select a section below to view individual competencies and the courses from our curriculum through which you will achieve these skills.

Sections

* Asterisk denotes properties specific to the Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences track

Extract literature from appropriate bibliographic sources.

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Critique clinical and scientific evidence derived from literature.

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*Describe the current state of knowledge about a biomedical, clinical, or public health problem.

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Interpret primary research literature within the pharmaceutical sciences.

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Generate a relevant biomedical, clinical, public health, or translational research hypothesis.

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*Defend the clinical and public health implications of a given research hypothesis.

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Design appropriate experiments to address generated research questions in the pharmaceutical sciences.

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Conduct appropriate experiments to address generated research questions.

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Evaluate possible problems in the design and execution of a study in the pharmaceutical sciences.

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Describe the drug development process.

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*Develop appropriate methods to recruit and retain study participants for a selected research design.

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*Identify important outcome measures for incorporation into patient oriented clinical trial design.

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*Generate a plan for data security/management.

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*Develop an approach to overcome barriers in translating research to humans.

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Introduction to translational research (PHARM 3140)

*Design appropriate, ethically sound, and hypothesis-driven clinical studies.

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*Identify barriers in translating research discoveries into meaningful changes in human health.

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Apply fundamental principles of statistical analysis, such as power analysis, correlation, causation, regression, and summary statistics.

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Select the appropriate statistical approach for the interpretation of preclinical and clinical datasets.

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*Define bias in clinical and translational research.

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Develop appropriate conclusions based on results from research data.

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*Identify federal and non-federal agencies and programmatic initiatives aimed at translating research to clinical care of patients.

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Defend a written research proposal describing specific research aims, significance, innovation, and approach.

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*Defend a written research proposal that describes specific research aims, significance, innovation, and approach for a human clinical trial.

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Develop presentations describing proposed research, research in progress, or research findings.

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*Assess the clinical implications of scientific information.

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Prepare publication/presentation quality abstracts, posters and manuscripts.

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Develop an appropriate response to constructive criticism of oral and written presentations.

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Demonstrate professionalism, interpersonal skills and collegial approaches to teamwork.

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Mentor students in research, clinical, or professional activities.

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*Develop a therapeutic protocol/guideline for medication related issues or management

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Pharmacology and Therapeutics (PHARM 3028)

Recognize the strengths and limitations of personal research skills.

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Seminar (PHARM 3024/3025)

Recognize scientific misconduct and conflict of interest.

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*Demonstrate knowledge of the standards of professional and ethical conduct established to guide researchers in protecting the rights, well-being, and dignity in the recruitment and retainment of human subjects in clinical research.

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*Give examples of the informed consent process including an understanding of the risk/benefit criteria and its impact on the patient/volunteer.

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Sections

Literature review and evaluation

Extract literature from appropriate bibliographic sources.

Critique clinical and scientific evidence derived from literature.

*Describe the current state of knowledge about a biomedical, clinical, or public health problem.

Interpret primary research literature within the pharmaceutical sciences.

Hypothesis generation

Generate a relevant biomedical, clinical, public health, or translational research hypothesis.

*Defend the clinical and public health implications of a given research hypothesis.

Research methods and study design

Design appropriate experiments to address generated research questions in the pharmaceutical sciences.

Conduct appropriate experiments to address generated research questions.

Evaluate possible problems in the design and execution of a study in the pharmaceutical sciences.

Describe the drug development process.

*Develop appropriate methods to recruit and retain study participants for a selected research design.

*Identify important outcome measures for incorporation into patient oriented clinical trial design.

*Generate a plan for data security/management.

*Develop an approach to overcome barriers in translating research to humans.

*Design appropriate, ethically sound, and hypothesis-driven clinical studies.

*Identify barriers in translating research discoveries into meaningful changes in human health.

Statistical methods and data evaluation

Apply fundamental principles of statistical analysis, such as power analysis, correlation, causation, regression, and summary statistics.

Select the appropriate statistical approach for the interpretation of preclinical and clinical datasets.

*Define bias in clinical and translational research.

Develop appropriate conclusions based on results from research data.

Grantsmanship

*Identify federal and non-federal agencies and programmatic initiatives aimed at translating research to clinical care of patients.

Defend a written research proposal describing specific research aims, significance, innovation, and approach.

*Defend a written research proposal that describes specific research aims, significance, innovation, and approach for a human clinical trial.

Preparation and delivery of oral and written scientific information

Develop presentations describing proposed research, research in progress, or research findings.

*Assess the clinical implications of scientific information.

Prepare publication/presentation quality abstracts, posters and manuscripts.

Develop an appropriate response to constructive criticism of oral and written presentations.

Scientific leadership, management, and cross-disciplinary teamwork

Demonstrate professionalism, interpersonal skills and collegial approaches to teamwork.

Mentor students in research, clinical, or professional activities.

*Develop a therapeutic protocol/guideline for medication related issues or management

Recognize the strengths and limitations of personal research skills.

Ethical conduct of research

Recognize scientific misconduct and conflict of interest.

*Demonstrate knowledge of the standards of professional and ethical conduct established to guide researchers in protecting the rights, well-being, and dignity in the recruitment and retainment of human subjects in clinical research.

*Give examples of the informed consent process including an understanding of the risk/benefit criteria and its impact on the patient/volunteer.

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