Joint Assessor Certificate
To participate in PRINTO/PRCSG pharma-sponsored trials, investigators performing rheumatologic joint examination must hold a valid Joint Assessor Certificate (JAC).
Why JAC matters
Joint assessments are central to JIA outcome measures and trial validity. Standardized examiner training improves reproducibility and quality across centres.
How to obtain certification
- At an investigators’ meeting
- On-site evaluation with a certified joint assessor
- On-site evaluation without a certified assessor (fallback procedure)
Investigator meeting procedure
- Introductory presentation on JIA core set, joint exam parameters and CRFs.
- Hands-on demonstration on children with active JIA by experienced paediatric rheumatologists.
- Independent assessment by each candidate on at least 2 (preferably 3) eligible patients.
- Send completed CRFs to info@fondazione-printo.it.
On-site with certified assessor
- Certified and candidate assessors examine the same child independently.
- Results are discussed and practical disagreement is resolved by repeat examination.
- Each candidate then independently evaluates at least 2 active JIA patients.
- CRFs are submitted to PRINTO for analysis.
On-site without certified assessor
- Three potential assessors independently evaluate at least 2 active JIA patients.
- Team review and repeat exam are used to increase agreement.
- Each assessor independently evaluates 3 active JIA patients on standard CRFs.
- Forms are reviewed; if substantial variation exists, additional training is requested.
For CRF templates and complete instructions, contact info@fondazione-printo.it.