Providing medical students with meaningful research experiences during their training is an important piece in generating physicians who incorporate research into their careers. There is a strong need for research aware clinicians in rural areas in the Upper Midwest. Having a cadre that focuses its efforts in the area of pediatric medicine will also be important in addressing the health disparities seen in rural and American Indian populations. The ultimate goal of the DRPMS is to help meet the future needs of health-related research by contributing to the development of physicians who will be well- prepared to use evidence-based medicine in practice and contribute to translational research. The Northern Plains have a large number of health disparities among the children and adolescents. Thus there is a compelling need to support and promote the training of the physicians in training in developmental research. Faculty members at the Sanford School of Medicine are strong in research focused on development: prenatal development, postnatal development, diseases and issues of children and adolescents. The Developmental Research Program for Medical Students (DRPMS) proposed here will help provide medical students with exposure to research areas of development in order to kindle their interest in pursuing this as part of their careers. The Sanford School of Medicine has recently integrated its curriculum. As an extension of this, the school is in the process of developing a strategy to integrate research into the educational experience of all medical students as a required educational activity. While the school of medicine has always had ad hoc programs for medical students to participate in research, the program proposed in this application will provide a structured program that involves research but includes an additional seminars series on career development, including how to incorporate scholarship, as well as responsible conduct of research. The Program Directors will be assisted in the management of the program by an Executive Committee and an Internal Advisory Committee. Six students per year will be accepted into the DRPMS. There will be specific strategies employed to increase the number of trainees from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds. Selection of the trainees will be done by the Executive Committee. The research progress will be followed by the mentor(s) and the PDs. After completion of the program trainees will be invited back to become peer mentors or to continue on with research outside of the program. Intermediate and longitudinal follow- up of the trainees will be performed as part of the program's evaluation.
One known risk factor for health problems is low socioeconomic status. With an increased pediatric population in South Dakota particularly in low income, rural communities, access to pediatric healthcare has become a major concern. The major pediatric health concerns in this region mirror many other parts of the country, including infant mortality, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, childhood obesity, type II diabetes, teen pregnancy and suicide. However, many of these pediatric health conditions are higher in SD and this difference is particular prominent for American Indian children and adolescents. The Developmental Research Program for Medical Students at the Sanford School of Medicine at the University of South Dakota will provide research training in pediatric areas to medical students. This will meet future needs for research savvy physicians practicing in rural areas working with diverse populations.
