AVAC is pleased to announce a new online course to help the prevention field address essential questions about trial conduct: What happens in the case of research-related controversies? How do complex issues such as providing HIV treatment to prevention trial participants get negotiated? How do members of trial communities help research teams ensure that participants provide true, voluntary informed consent?
The UNAIDS/AVAC Good Participatory Practice Guidelines (GPP) were developed in 2007, and updated in 2011, to help address these and many other questions. GPP outlines principles and recommends good practices for engaging all stakeholders—from potential participants to national policy makers to funders and advocates—in the research endeavor.
To further support the implementation of GPP, AVAC is now pleased to announce an exciting new GPP Online Training Course. This interactive course brings the guidelines to life and gives learners practical skills for applying GPP in their work. AVAC developed the course in partnership with the San Francisco Department of Public Health’s Center for Learning and Innovation, which has a wealth of expertise in developing online learning courses for the HIV prevention research field and beyond.
If you are attending the HIV R4P Conference in Cape Town next week, please plan to join us for the official course launch, reception and tour on Thursday, October 30!
Even if you are not attending R4P, you can still check out the new course via an on-line introduction to the curriculum—here.
We’ve worked with stakeholders across prevention research disciplines to develop interactive learning modules, real-life case studies, knowledge checks and discussion forums to build learners’ GPP capacity and to share experience and knowledge between students. Learners go at their own pace over a 12-week period, spending an average of 1-2 hours per week. Upon completion of the course, learners have an individually tailored GPP plan. Those who fulfill all course requirements also receive a GPP Implementer’s Certificate.
The first course offering is now underway with 28 participants from nine countries and 25 research groups. AVAC plans to offer the course twice a year to follow. If you are interested in registering for the next offering—please contact us!
We look forward to working with partners to consider the best ways to implement the course throughout the field. If you have ideas—let us know!