Building Better CRAs: Virtual Training’s Role in Workforce Development
Our Learning Solutions experts break down how the industry’s first virtual training platform is transforming CRA training through enhanced engagement, greater knowledge retention and scalability.
Clinical research associate (CRA) training has long been a cornerstone of successful clinical trials, yet traditional methods often fall short. Passive approaches like reading modules or watching instructional videos remain the industry standard but frequently fail to deliver the engagement and hands-on experience necessary for retaining critical information.
In a high-stakes, dynamic field like clinical research, where delays can lead to lost opportunities and resources, there’s a growing shift toward science-backed, immersive technologies to transform training. Among these innovations, virtual training is emerging as a potentially groundbreaking tool, according to workforce development experts at Syneos Health Learning Solutions.
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Bridging Training Gaps with Immersion
While CRA training programs emphasize technical knowledge, they often struggle to replicate real-world, unpredictable challenges. From managing protocol deviations and building site relationships to handling urgent safety updates, CRAs must be adept at adapting in real time.
Immersive reality training provides an opportunity to close these gaps by simulating hyper-realistic environments. Cognitive psychology research shows that active participation and emotional engagement significantly boost knowledge retention. Placing learners in scenarios requiring real-time decision-making enhances both comprehension and application.
“Rather than reading about monitoring best practices, CRAs can navigate virtual site visits, address real-time challenges, and interact with digital site staff,” explains Celeste Mosby, Vice President and General Manager of Learning Solutions at Syneos Health. Mosby and her team have pioneered the industry’s first virtual training experience designed specifically for CRAs, informed by extensive research into clinical trial experience, staffing and overall workforce development efficacy.
Why Virtual Training Works: The Science Behind It
Immersive VR training aligns with how humans naturally learn—through experience, notes Drew Beck, the head of Growth and Innovation within Syneos Health Learning Solutions. Experiential learning fosters deeper understanding and retention of complex concepts.
Key features of effective VR training for CRAs include:
- Realistic scenarios and problem solving: VR leverages active engagement to encode and recall information effectively.
- Collaborative environments: Virtual shared spaces enable team interactions and communication challenges, critical for CRA development.
- Safe experimentation: Trainees can make mistakes, learn, and retry without real-world consequences, preparing them for high-pressure situations.
Immersive Training in Action for CRAs
Alongside with partners Epic Games and Amazon Web Services (AWS), the experts at Syneos Health Learning Solutions have developed the industry’s first CRA virtual training experience.
Beyond individual benefits, virtual training addresses a critical industry challenge: scalability. “Traditional in-person programs demand significant resources—travel, facilities, and personnel,” Mosby notes. “Virtual platforms eliminate these hurdles, enabling consistent, global access.”
This scalability is particularly vital as clinical trials expand into emerging markets with limited resources. A virtual-driven approach ensures every CRA, regardless of location, receives high-quality training, promoting equity and efficiency in trial management.
Beyond efficiency, effectiveness is imperative. “On a platform like this, organizations can continuously evaluate the impact through metrics such as knowledge retention, trainee satisfaction, and tangible improvements in trial efficiency, compliance and quality,” says Beck.
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Contributors
Celeste Mosby | Vice President & General Manager
Syneos Health Learning Solutions
Drew Beck | Growth and Innovation Lead
Syneos Health Learning Solutions
Jim Mather | Multimedia Manager
Syneos Health Learning Solutions
Thomas E. Winters | Associate Director, Clinical Monitoring, FSP 360
Syneos Health
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