The objective of the Boston University Medical Campus-Massachusetts General Hospital Global Psychiatric Clinical Research Training Program (BUMC-MGH GPCRTP) is to develop independent clinical scientists who can address the most pressing global mental health challenges. Postdoctoral fellows will be prepared to work collaboratively across disciplines and cultures in order to respond to the substantial burden of mental health related diseases in low- to middle-income countries and resource-limited areas, and to develop strategies that advance global delivery and scale-up of mental health services, improve general wellbeing, and foster overall country development. The proposed postdoctoral fellowship is a three-year clinical research training program that will be administered by Boston Medical Center (BMC) and combines rigorous didactic instruction, clinical research methods training from Boston University and Harvard University, practice in working effectively with disadvantaged communities, and immersive, mentored clinical research experiences in global settings. Six fellows will be drawn from a deep pool of talent and will be mentored by a diverse group of faculty who are recognized leaders in major psychiatric subspecialties as well as clinical research approaches. Each fellow will have at least one senior mentor at their primary training site (BUMC or MGH), an onsite mentor at the international site, and an additional mentor specializing in research methods depending on individual needs and experience. Fellows will complete a mentored research project at an international training site in Barbados, Ethiopia, Peru, South Africa or Uganda on topics such as addictions, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, PTSD/trauma/complex emergency, HIV mental health, women?s mental health, and childhood mental disorders. They will utilize a variety of research skills and techniques to understand the scope of a problem, and to develop innovative interventions that are feasible and culturally and clinically relevant to the specific environments and populations. Fellows are expected to be well situated for a NIH or equivalent K award application by the end of the third year of the program. With heavily circumscribed clinical responsibilities, trainees will focus on the refinement of their research projects, developing international collaborations, and strengthening their clinical research skills.

Public Health Relevance

The objective of the Boston University Medical Campus-Massachusetts General Hospital Global Psychiatric Clinical Research Training Program (BUMC-MGH GPCRTP) is to develop independent clinical scientists who can address the most pressing global mental health challenges. The postdoctoral fellowship is a three-year clinical research training program that combines rigorous didactic instruction, clinical research methods training from Boston University and Harvard University, practice in working effectively with disadvantaged communities, and immersive, mentored research experiences in Barbados, Ethiopia, Peru, South Africa and/or Uganda.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Institutional National Research Service Award (T32)
Project #
5T32MH116140-03
Application #
9934280
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZMH1)
Program Officer
Allison, Susannah
Project Start
2018-07-01
Project End
2023-06-30
Budget Start
2020-07-01
Budget End
2021-06-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2020
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Boston Medical Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
005492160
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02118