SiteCoach™
Our PPD™ SiteCoach™ learning pathways equip clinical trial site staff with the practical knowledge and skills they need to support successful study delivery. Whether training is designed for broad clinical trial activities or tailored to a specific therapeutic area, each pathway is developed by subject matter experts who understand the realities of site operations. Interactive activities and knowledge checks reinforce key concepts, encourage critical thinking and support learner confidence. Training is available in flexible formats to meet site needs, including live virtual sessions delivered through Microsoft Teams and self-paced online courses hosted in our secure, validated learning management system, with access available for external learners.
Experience is the best teacher
The PPD™ clinical research business of Thermo Fisher Scientific enables sponsors to strengthen site performance through our targeted learning pathways. Built on experience planning, designing and executing clinical trials for hundreds of companies worldwide, our training solutions address common study challenges, support high-performing research sites and help broaden the pool of eligible patients who participate in clinical research. By partnering with sponsors, we transform clinical trial complexity into practical, actionable learning that supports study execution across sites.
SiteCoach™ Learning Pathways
We can partner with sponsors and sites to offer the following training as needed.
Foundations for research naïve sites
This is a foundational course designed for medical and research staff at sites that have not previously conducted a clinical trial. This course could also be appropriate for site research staff who could benefit from refresher training. It focuses on the roles and responsibilities of the principal investigator and study coordinator, and their relationship with the trial sponsor and other regulating and reviewing bodies. It provides a practical overview of clinical trial activities from site activation through closeout.
Participants will learn the roles and responsibilities of the principal investigator and study coordinator, as well as how site teams work with trial sponsors, and other reviewing bodies. The course also covers startup processes, patient recruitment and retention, Good Clinical Practice, intellectual property considerations, quality monitoring, budgeting and resource planning, technology selection, and documentation management. Aligned with ICH-GCP E6(R3) guidelines, this training focuses on core clinical trial operations and does not include therapeutic area-specific content.
Available as live, instructor-led training or online self-paced learning.
Patient representation in clinical trials
Many clinical trials do not fully reflect the patient populations affected by the disease or condition being studied. This training helps site teams identify and address barriers that have historically limited participation among underrepresented populations, translating inclusive research principles into practical, everyday site behaviors.
Designed for investigators and patient-facing site staff across therapeutic areas and experience levels, the course provides practical strategies to support broader, more representative enrollment and retention. Participants will learn how to recognize common participation barriers, apply inclusive communication techniques during routine patient interactions, and adapt recruitment and follow-up practices while maintaining protocol integrity.
Available as online self-paced learning.
Decentralized clinical trials (DCTs)
Sponsors are increasingly using decentralized clinical trial (DCT) approaches to reduce barriers to participation, improve patient representation and retention, and support more efficient trial delivery. This training equips investigators and site staff with the knowledge needed to successfully implement and manage decentralized trial models effectively.
Participants will explore DCT solutions that allow certain assessments and activities to be completed in the comfort and convenience of a patient’s home. This course also examines supporting services, workflows and operational considerations that enable sites to execute hybrid and fully decentralized trials while maintaining quality and protocol compliance.
Available as online self-paced learning.
Clinical trial and budget process training
Investigational sites need a clear understanding of clinical trials, budgeting and payment processes to support successful trial participation and maintain sound financial operations. This training helps site staff navigate the financial components of a trial delivery, from protocol review and contract development to budgeting, invoicing, and payment collection. Participants will learn how a clinical trial protocol is translated into a contract and budget, how invoices are generated and submitted, and how payment processes are managed throughout the study. This course provides greater transparency into the budgeting process and helps site teams negotiate and invoice against budgets that support their participation in clinical research.
Available as online self-paced learning.
Therapeutic-specific: Cell and gene therapy (CT) trials
Cell and gene therapy trials require specialized clinical, operational, safety and quality expertise. This live training helps clinical sites build competence in managing the complexities of cell and gene therapy studies and introduces a roadmap that can support long-term growth and sustainability for research in this evolving therapeutic area.
Participants will learn about key medical, safety and quality requirements, as well as startup considerations, infrastructure needs and operational support for cell and gene therapy trials. This course also addresses patient recruitment and retention strategies, cell handling requirements and logistics considerations critical to successful trial delivery.
Available as live, instructor-led training.
Therapeutic-specific training: Site-directed adjudication in cardiovascular outcomes trials (CVOTs)
Cardiovascular outcomes trials often rely on accurate identification, documentation and review of pivotal endpoints events, such as major adverse cardiovascular events, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke. Incomplete or inaccurate information in medical record information can lead to improper event classification and may affect the quality of endpoint data.
This training helps site teams understand their role in supporting the adjudication process. Participants will learn about key cardiovascular endpoints, best practices for event review and effective tracking, medical record collection, and adjudication data reporting. The course is designed to enable sites to strengthen endpoint documentation and support successful delivery of cardiovascular outcomes trials.
Available as online self-paced learning.
What our SiteCoach™ customers are saying
Said training increased their confidence in conducting clinical trials
Agreed the training was engaging
Said the training was a worthwhile investment of their time
Said they learned new knowledge/skills
Medical staff trained at over 70 sites in 12 countries to date