IMPORTANT NOTE: The on-line UCSF Human Research Protection Program has been replaced with the nationally-recognized and widely-used on-line training program called the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI). Beginning February 1, 2008, the CITI program, which will be hosted by UCSF, will be the required training for UCSF personnel conducting human research.
Who must complete the training? The Human Research Protection Program at UCSF requires that all Key Research Personnel at UCSF or affiliated sites complete the on-line UCSF-hosted Human Subject Protections Training program. CHR approval of any individual application will be contingent upon the fulfillment of this requirement. All CHR members and HRPP staff are also required to complete this training.
New Users Register Here. This will take you to another page where you will be required to select your Participating Institution(s) from a pull down menu. After selecting UCSF, and the VA if you are a VA researcher, you will then be asked several other questions to complete the registration. You will also be asked to choose a Learner Group.
What is a Leaner Group? Each individual must choose a Learner Group. If you are a researcher or a research support staff, choose the Learner Group that best fits the type of research you are most often engaged in. If more than one group applies, you may choose more than one Learner Group, but you are not required to.
If you are associated with the VAMC, you must choose Learner Group 7. If you are an IRB Member, you must choose Learner Group 4.
The Learner Groups are the following:
- Biomedical Researcher
- Social/Behavioral/Educational Researcher
- Basic Scientist
- IRB Member
- HRPP Staff
- Institutional Official or Other Upper Level Official
- VAMC Researchers
How many modules are required? There are 7 modules that UCSF has chosen as appropriate for UCSF researchers, though the number and nature of the modules are tailored for the Learner Group. Every Learner Group will be required to take the core UCSF module. Beyond that, for example, the bench scientists who have no human subject contact would be required to take two additional modules while the clinical researcher would be required to take six additional modules.
Other modules beyond the seven identified by UCSF are also available, but are optional. For example, there are optional modules specific to International Research or Gene Therapy as well as Internet Research.
How long does it take to complete the training?
Each module takes approximately ten to twenty minutes to complete.
Can I stop and start again later?
Yes, you can stop and begin anytime. Just remember your password.
What do I do if I forget my password?
If you forget your password, follow the instructions on the CITI website.
What about investigators who have already taken the previous UCSF on-line training?
This training will remain valid though February 2009. As of March 1, 2009 all investigators will be required to complete this on-line CITI training as they submit new, renewal or modified studies. However, researchers are encouraged to take the CITI training at their earliest convenience.
All CHR members and HRPP staff are also required to complete this training.
What about VA investigators who are already required to take CITI?
This training will meet the UCSF training requirements if you log into the VA site. However, if you log in through the UCSF site, then you will have to complete the UCSF required modules.
What about investigators who are transferring from another university at which they completed CITI training?
This training will be valid at UCSF. However, the investigator will be asked to complete the core UCSF training module. When you take this module, identify yourself as being associated with UCSF and your previous training will be transferred over. Depending on the requirements at your previous institution, you may be required to take additional modules if required by UCSF. On the other hand, you might have already completed more modules than UCSF requires.
How do I get my training certificate?
You will be able to print off a certificate from the CITI site and should keep a copy for your records. CHR will be able to confirm that you have taken the training by looking on-line but CHR will not be able to print off your certificate for you.
Will Contracts and Grants require a copy of this training certificate?
Contracts and Grants will be able to look this information up on line as they were able to for the previous training.
How often is the training required? Can someone complete the training one time and that is valid forever or do individuals have to repeat the training or take refresher modules?
The Human Research Protection Training is valid for three years. Key Research Personnel will be required to refresh their training every three years. This can easily be accomplished by taking any three modules of your choosing.
Why has UCSF subscribed to this on-line training? UCSF is now part of the (CITI), along with over 600 other organizations throughout the world. About 80% of the AAHRPP-accredited institutions, of which UCSF is one, use this training. The majority of the institutions which are part of the Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI), which UCSF is a part of, also subscribe to this training.
CITI training was chosen by UCSF because the content is extensively reviewed and critiqued and updated and participant satisfaction is high. In addition, the training is both more targeted and more complete. Additionally, if an investigator has taken CITI training elsewhere, this training will be accepted at UCSF, with only the small additional requirement that the investigator take the UCSF core module of the training.
Investigators may take additional modules, at their leisure, to fit their interests, but any additional modules would be optional. CHR Members may occasionally recommend an investigator take an additional module.
Who can I talk to if I have questions?
Call Steve Dorsey at 502-2180 or the CHR Front Desk at 476-1814 if you have questions.
Click here to get to training: Collaborative IRB Training Initiative
Click here to link to the CITI Frequently Asked Questions. |
