• Start date:
  • 13 April 2026
  • Duration:
  • 4 days
  • Intended Audience:
  • Researcher, PhD

Introduction
In this course, the design and analysis of clinical trials will be considered from a biostatistical/methodological perspective. Topics include Phase II / Phase III studies, randomization and blinding, power calculations (sample size), analysis of trial outcomes, superiority, inferiority and equivalence, missing values and multiple imputation. Practical sessions will focus on hands-on experience in the above topics, based on an example trial dataset.
 

Course material
All study materials are supplied electronically only. This includes the PowerPoint presentations and background materials. All materials will be made available in an online learning environment to which students receive access about 2 weeks prior to the course.
 

Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of statistics (equivalent to the Boerhaave course "Basic methods and reasoning in Biostatistics"). 

Participants are expected to bring their own laptop for the practical exercies, with either the SPSS or R software installed, and a notebook for taking written notes (if desired). For the practical exercises you will be asked to download and install the program “Power and sample size calculation” (https://biostat.app.vumc.org/wiki/Main/PowerSampleSize ) prior to the course.


Attendance / Certificate of Attendance
In order to obtain a certificate of attendance, participation in all lectures and practical exercises is mandatory. Completion of practical exercises will be checked by open-ended questions to be submitted on padlet.


Teaching environment 
Lectures and practical sessions.


Language
Course material (PowerPoint, exercises etc.) are all in English. Lectures are also in English.


Target group
Master and PhD students (at start PhD; year 1 or 2); clinical researchers.
NOTE: Can only start with sufficient participants.


Organizing committee

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* Interested in another statistics course? Please visit our website to check out the various courses that are offered by Boerhaave Nascholing.

 CONCEPT PROGRAM
CZ-7, route 555, LUMC
 MONDAY 13 APRIL 2026
09:00Registration
09:10Introduction
Dr. ir. Nan van Geloven
09:15Lecture: Design and analysis of clinical trials 1
Prof. dr. Hein Putter
10:15Coffee break
10:30Lecture: Design and analysis of clinical trials 2
Prof. dr. Hein Putter
11:45 Lunch break (lunch not covered)
12:45Practical exercises: Trial analysis
Youngxi Long
14:45

Discussion exercises: Trial analysis

Dr. ir. Nan van Geloven, Youngxi Long

15:00

Lecture: Estimands and sensitivity analyses: ICH E9 Addendum

Dr. Doranne Thomassen

16:00Coffee break
16:15Practical exercise: Estimands 
Dr. ir. Nan van Geloven, dr. Doranne Thomassen
16:30Lecture: Sample Size calculation
Dr. ir. Nan van Geloven
17:15End of day 1
  
 TUESDAY 14 APRIL 2026
09:00Registration
09:15Lecture: A meta look on clinical trials
Dr. Erik van Zwet
10:15Coffee break
10:30Practical exercise: Sample size calculation
Yongxi Long
11:45Lunch break (lunch not covered)
12:45

Discussion exercises: Sample size calculation

Dr. ir. Nan van Geloven, Youngxi Long

13:00Lecture: Missing data in clinical trials
Dr. ir. Nan van Geloven
14:00Practical exercise: Missing data
Dr. ir. Nan van Geloven
14:15Lecture: Interim analyses and DSMB
Dr. ir. Nan van Geloven
15:00Coffee break
15:15Lecture: Heterogeneity of treatment effect 
 
16:00Practical exercise: Heterogeneity of treatment effect 
 
17:00Discussion exercise: Heterogeneity of treatment effect 
 
17:15End of day 2
  
 
WEDNESDAY 15 APRIL 2026
all daySelf study
  
 THURSDAY 16 APRIL 2026
09:00Registration
09:15Lecture: Non-inferiority studies
Dr. ir. Nan van Geloven
10:00Practical exercises: Non-inferiority incl. discussion
Dr. ir. Nan van Geloven
10:30Coffee break
10:45Lecture: Medical Ethical Committee
Prof. dr. Olaf Dekkers
11:45 

Evaluation

Dr. ir. Nan van Geloven

12:00End of course
Prof. Dr. O.M. Dekkers
Endocrinoloog en klinisch epidemioloog, LUMC
Dr. ir. N. van Geloven
Biostatisticus, LUMC
Dr. D. van Klaveren
Assistant Professor, Erasmus MC
Prof. dr. H. Putter
Hoogleraar, wetenschappelijk staflid, LUMC
LUMC
,
Regular course fee€ 750,-
Reduced fee for PhD students LUMC € 275,-
Reduced fee for employees LUMC
€ 275,-
BA/MA students of the Leiden University           
€ 0,-*
BA/MA students of other universities (non Leiden University)   
€ 85,- *

* Limited places available. In order to validate your student registration, you must register with your student e-mail address and submit your student number on the registration form. In addition, a scan of your student pass will have to be submitted to boerhaavenascholing@lumc.nl. Incomplete registration will not be considered. Please note that a cancellation fee will be charged to students who do not attend the course (no show), or cancel their registration.

 

Please note that upon registration, you agree to our Terms and Conditions, including the stated cancellation policy. Administration fees may be charged upon cancellation.

 

Moving your registration to the next edition is not possible.