Development of an undergraduate certificate in clinical and translational science: improving competence of the clinical research workforce

Introduction: Academic research centers often struggle to recruit and retain a well-trained and diverse clinical and translational science (CTS) workforce. In particular, the clinical research professional (CRP) career pathway is not well known to undergraduate students and other individuals outside of academic medicine despite being a potential career route. To address these workforce challenges, the CRP Task Force at the University of Cincinnati (UC) aims to train a competent and diverse CRP workforce through targeted educational programming in the UC undergraduate population.Methods: Using a six-step curriculum development process that included: 1) performing a needs assessment, 2) determining content, 3) writing goals and objectives, 4) selecting the educational strategies, 5) implementing the curriculum, and 6) evaluating the curriculum, we designed an undergraduate certificate program in CTS.Results: The needs assessment included both internal and external data gathering to inform curriculum development and program decisions. Content was determined using the Core Competency Framework for the Clinical Research Professional Version 3.1., and program learning outcomes were written with both the competency framework and local workforce needs in mind. Educational strategies were selected based on optimization of available resources and local expertise with an emphasis on interactive didactics complemented by experiential learning. Implementation is underway and evaluation will follow once students begin enrolling.Discussion: By educating an undergraduate student population about CTS methods and career opportunities, we anticipate increased numbers of well-qualified, diverse applicants who pursue CRP careers locally and regionally

Using Qualitative Methods to Improve Physician Research Training: Understanding the Student Perspective

For several decades now, physician-scientists have been referred to as an “endangered species.” Many factors have contributed to the dearth of clinical investigators, and training programs in clinical research are just one tool in a multi-pronged strategy to increase the number of successful physician-scientists working in health research. A qualitative approach that analyzes students’ educational goals and experiences can help fill the gaps in our knowledge about how best to train aspiring physician-scientists. This study was an interpretive phenomenology that evaluated the Master of Science program in Clinical and Translational Research (MSCTR) at the University of Cincinnati. The purpose of the study was to allow students to articulate their expectations, needs, and experiences in the MSCTR. The study included a group level assessment (GLA) and document review. Findings suggest several reasons students enrolled in the MSCTR, as well as some areas for improvement in the program: more physician-centered classes, a more directed curriculum, and a more cohesive course plan overall. Conclusions from these recommendations are that student perspectives can inform decisions around curricula and instructional methods in powerful ways, particularly when combined with a qualitative methodological approach. This study revealed several insights into how faculty and administrators can more effectively train physicians in research methodology. Training should be as applied and relevant as possible to make it directly applicable to clinical practice. This goal could be enhanced if classes – particularly statistics classes – were more physician-oriented. The curriculum of a clinical research training program for clinicians should be clear and directed, but with some flexibility and space within the curriculum for classes within areas of specialization. Collaboration should be integrated throughout, and courses should follow a logical, interconnected sequence

Introducing trainees to research using an online, asynchronous course

Abstract Introduction: Research is an important aspect of many students’ training. However, formal research training is rarely included in curricula. Thus, we developed an online, asynchronous series of modules to introduce trainees to multiple topics that are relevant to the conduct of research. Methods: Research 101 was utilized by first-year medical students and undergraduate students conducting mentored research projects. Students’ knowledge, confidence, and satisfaction were assessed using pre- and post-module surveys with five-point Likert scaled questions, open-ended text responses, and a final quiz. Results: Pre-module survey results showed that learners felt most confident with the Conducting a literature search and Race and racism in medicine modules and least confident with the Submitting an Institutional Review Board protocol at UC module. Post-module survey responses were significantly increased compared to pre-module results for all modules and questions (p < 0.0001). The response to “The content of this module met my needs” was endorsed across all modules (84.9% “yes” responses). A final quiz of 25 multiple-choice questions was completed by 92 participants who received a median score of 21. Content analysis of open-ended post-module survey responses identified several strengths and opportunities for improvement in course content and instructional methods. Conclusions: These data demonstrate that significant learning resulted from completion of Research 101, as post-module survey scores were significantly higher than pre-module survey scores for all modules and questions. Final quiz scores were positive but also highlighted opportunity for additional trainee learning and will guide evolution of future modules

Academic medical center clinical research professional workforce: Part 2 - issues in staff onboarding and professional development

Background: Defining key barriers to the development of a well-trained clinical research professional (CRP) workforce is an essential first step in identifying solutions for successful CRP onboarding, training, and competency development, which will enhance quality across the clinical and translational research enterprise. This study aimed to summarize barriers and best practices at academic medical centers related to effective CRP onboarding, training, professional development, identify challenges with the assessment of and mentoring for CRP competency growth, and describe opportunities to improve training and professionalization for the CRP career pathway. Materials/Methods: Qualitative data from a series of Un-Meeting breakout sessions and open-text survey questions were analyzed to explore the complex issues involved when developing high-quality onboarding and continuing education opportunities for CRPs at academic medical centers. Results: Results suggest there are several barriers to training the CRP workforce, including balancing foundational onboarding with role-based training, managing logistical challenges and institutional contexts, identifying/enlisting institutional champions, assessing competency, and providing high-quality mentorship. Several of these themes are interrelated. Two universal threads present throughout all themes are the need for effective communication and the need to improve professionalization of the CRP career pathway. Conclusion: Few institutions have solved all the issues related to training a competent and adaptable CRP workforce, although some have addressed one or more. We applied a socio-technical lens to illustrate our findings and the need for NCATS-funded academic medical centers to work collaboratively within and across institutions to overcome training barriers and support a vital, well-qualified workforce and present several exemplars from the field to help attain this goal