Clinical researchers were described nearly 30 years ago as an 'endangered species,' and most observersagree that a shortage persists. There is a need to develop clinical investigators at the pre-licensure to thepost-doctoral level. While there are formal scientist training programs, these tend to attract those who havebeen interested in research as a career. Other 'late bloomers' are attracted to clinical research only aftersome exposure. The need for interdisciplinary clinical investigators, capable of contributing to and leadingresearch teams is enormous, given the almost total absence of formal training in these skills.This grant will seek to develop and provide: core clinical research didactic content integrated into requiredcurricula; a summer mentored interdisciplinary clinical research experience for 12 predoctoral students; aone-year intensive mentored project with an interdisciplinary clinical research team for 12 trainees,culminating in a graduate certificate in basic clinical research; an environment for peer interaction throughprogram seminars, work-in-progress sessions, participation in Health Science wide colloquia, and informalgatherings; learning and mentoring relationships between predoctoral trainees, postdoctoral careerdevelopment scholars, and experienced researchers with interdisciplinary team expertise.This program will span three primary health professions (Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing) as well asPharmacy, Rehabilitation Sciences, Epidemiology, and Health Services. The Advisory group will alsocontinuously monitor trainees' progress toward defined milestones, and provide appropriate feedback;engage in 'continuous quality improvement' for the program itself; integrate emphasis on ethical andresponsible conduct of research; recruit outstanding applicants from a diverse applicant pool within theprofessions.
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