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September 2016: Building a vibrant and productive Canadian stroke trials community
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DON'T MISS IT! Hear a five-minute overview of CaSTOR at 10 am on Friday, Sept. 16 in the Canadian Stroke Congress's main plenary room
at the Quebec City Convention Centre.
"This is about building capacity for stroke clinical trials in Canada."
-- Dr. Andrew Demchuk
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CaSTOR is forming a Clinical Trial Coordinators network in stroke. A first meeting is planned for the Canadian Stroke Congress in Quebec City. Everyone is invited to get involved!
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CaSTOR establishes new network for Clinicial Trial Coordinators
Inaugural meeting to be held at Canadian Stroke Congress in Quebec City
The CaSTOR group has begun the process of forming a Clinical Trial Coordinators network. This new network is designed to increase the capacity and quality of clinical research in Canada by identifying, prioritizing, and meeting the needs of clinical trial coordinators across the country. The group is in its formative stage, and interested individuals are asked to contact Clay Earl at Clay@ebminc.ca.
The first meeting of the Clinical Trial Coordinators will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 14 from 3:00 to 6:30 pm at the Canadian Stroke Congress in Quebec City. The focus of the meeting will be establishing a leadership group from within the Research Coordinator community, prioritizing projects, forming working groups, and establishing a monthly teleconference schedule.
At the present time, the group’s leadership is conducting a needs analysis to support identification of areas of focus. Sharing of resources, education, and training and creating a forum for discussion will be key activities of the group.
A project currently underway to support this group is the development of an online portal that will house information and provide a dedicated communication channel for the Research Coordinator community. Educational content, such as archived informational sessions on best practices and evaluating a trial budget, etc., will be developed and posted.
Functions such as the ability to post a question in a secure area and gain insight from peers will be available. The portal will be online this fall. Stop by the CaSTOR booth in Quebec City or contact Clay for more information.
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Visit www.strokeconsortium.ca to view videos from key sessions at the 2016 Residents Stroke Review Course, which is delivered by the Canadian Stroke Consortium.
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Residents' Stroke Review Course a hit
Videos of key sessions available online for CSC members
The Canadian Stroke Consortium (CSC) holds an annual educational program designed to support the development of our future stroke researchers and clinicians. The 2016 Residents Stroke Review Course was held April 8-10 in Ottawa.
The Course is aimed at PGY 3-5 Neurology residents. Other interested individuals, including residents in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, fellows, and PGY 1-2 neurology residents are also welcome. Content is a balance of group lectures and small interactive workshops. The learning objectives in 2016 included evaluation and treatment of acute ischemic stroke and TIA; brain and cerebrovascular imaging using CT and MR technologies; topics in stroke rehabilitation, complications of treatment, and other post-stroke issues; management of ICH; and stroke in women and children. Videos of some key sessions are available to CSC members at www.strokeconsortium.ca.
Planning for the 2017 Course is underway. It is tentatively scheduled for April 7-9.These dates and the location will be finalized shortly. Details will be posted soon on the CSC website.
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Time to take a Knowledge Break!
A new educational platform has been developed and is housed in the Canadian Stroke Consortium site with links through the Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery site.
The online educational platform allows users to gain educational credit for self-directed learning activities. If you have five minutes, you have enough time to take a Knowledge Break.
Are you waiting for a friend at a local coffee shop? Make the most of your time: Have a coffee and participate in a Knowledge Break: watch a short video and answer the associated questions. As a registered user of the site, these educational activities can be tracked and a report generated for your use in meeting your Royal College certification criteria.
Do you have a bit more time on your hands? Do you have a specific in-depth stroke educational interest? Check out the CSC Theatre for a broader and deeper look at contemporary issues. Each 30- to 40-minute lecture is given by a expert in the particular area and we encourage them to share their thoughts and opinions to add context to the subject.
Coming Attractions will let you know what’s showing next. Content will change every two weeks, with older programs moving to the archives. Other educational products include Literature Express, an expert opinion piece that provides a review of a contemporary published research article. Myth of the Month will help you clear your head on a variety of issues that cause us to give pause.
Register as a CSC member and sign on today at www.strokeconsortium.ca. The platform is evolving, so stay tuned for more benefits that will allow streaming of content based upon your specific interests.
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Watch the HSF Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery's videos on the 'Stages of Stroke Recovery' and 'Stem Cells and Stroke Recovery' at www.canadianstroke.ca. Click the video button on the homepage.
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Will you go with the FLOW?
New trial to look at reopening recovery window after stroke
The Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery is ready to embark on a promising clinical trial in stroke recovery, called FLOW (FLuoxetine to Open the Critical Time Period Window to Improve Motor Recovery after Stroke).
Set to begin in 2017, the study will look at the role of an anti-depressant, called fluoxetine, in combination with intensive exercise training to try to reopen the recovery window in the brain once progress has stalled.
The study will involve 200 patients at eight sites across Canada.
A common concern among people recovering from stroke is the slowdown in progression of recovery three or four months after the stroke. The hope is this trial will provide new insight into opening and extending the window for stroke recovery.
Learn more about FLOW by emailing Farrell Leibovitch, Director of Research and Training Programs, at farrell@canadianstroke.ca
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Participants in our (SPiN) Stroke Program in Neurorecovery workshop, pictured above. The popular workshop is held annually and involves trainees from across the research continuum. In October, SPiN will be held in Vancouver.
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Join the CPSR's National Trainee Association
Trainees involved in stroke recovery research are invited to join the Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery's National Trainee Association. There is no fee to join, but the benefits are great!
To sign up for CPSR NTA membership, simply complete a brief online profile at: www.surveymonkey.com/s/CPSRNTA
Note: All trainees working in the area of stroke recovery research are eligible to join, regardless of whether or not they reside at a CPSR partner institution! CPSR is interested in connecting with all trainees working in the area of stroke recovery research from across Canada and beyond!
Some of the benefits available to trainees who join the CPSR NTA include:
- Increased networking opportunities (e.g., networking events during conferences)
- Enhanced Trainee Profiling - in our newsletters and on our website
- Mentorship program
- Lab exchange program
- Trainee Award Competition
- SPiN Workshops
To learn more, visit www.canadianstroke.ca
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