Caution Before Embracing Team Mentoring in Academic Medical Research Training: Recommendations from a Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 155633162199206
Author(s):  
Carol A. Mancuso ◽  
Jessica R. Berman ◽  
Laura Robbins ◽  
Stephen A. Paget

Background: Multidisciplinary team mentoring increasingly is being advocated for biomedical research training. Before implementing a curriculum that could include team mentoring, we asked faculty about their opinions of this mentoring approach. Questions/Purposes: The goals of this study were to ask faculty about the benefits, challenges, and drawbacks of team mentoring in research training. Methods: Twenty-two experienced mentors representing all academic departments at a single institution were interviewed about perceived benefits, drawbacks, and their willingness to participate in team mentoring. Responses were analyzed with qualitative techniques using grounded theory and a comparative analytic strategy. Results: Faculty noted academic pursuits in medicine usually occur within, and not across, specialties; thus, multidisciplinary team mentoring would require coordinating diverse work schedules, additional meetings, and greater time commitments. Other challenges included ensuring breadth of expertise without redundancy, skillfully managing group dynamics, and ensuring there is one decision-maker. Potential drawbacks for mentees included reluctance to voice preferences and forge unique paths, perceived necessity to simultaneously please many mentors, and less likelihood of establishing a professional bond with any particular mentor. Conclusions: Faculty recommended caution before embracing team mentoring models. An acceptable alternative might be a hybrid model with a primary mentor at the helm and a selected group of co-mentors committed to a multidisciplinary effort. This model requires training and professional development for primary mentors.

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 479-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy S. Stultz ◽  
Chad A. Knoderer ◽  
Kalen B. Manasco ◽  
Jill A. Morgan ◽  
Hanna Phan

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the practice-based research network (PBRN) potential within the Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group (PPAG) membership and to identify characteristics associated with member willingness to join a PPAG PBRN. METHODS In October 2016, a 21-question survey was sent by email to approximately 900 PPAG pharmacist members (excluding students) using contact information contained in the PPAG membership database. The survey elucidated information regarding training, clinical and research experience, practice site information, and willingness to participate in a PPAG PBRN. Descriptive statistics described the potential PBRN and multivariate logistic regression determined respondent characteristics associated with willingness to join the PBRN. RESULTS Of 145 survey respondents (a 16% survey response rate), 92 selected “yes” regarding their willingness to participate in the PPAG PBRN. Acute care general pediatrics was the most common area where respondents desired to perform research (44.6% of “yes” respondents), with over 2500 patients/day collectively available. The most common selected limitations to research were time and size of available patient populations (59.8% and 47.8% of “yes” respondents, respectively). Cumulative hours/week members would be willing to devote to the PBRN was approximately 77 to 206. Publication of a retrospective study (OR 10.4, 95% CI 2.1–51.9, p = 0.004), research protected time (OR 4.9, 95% CI 1.4–17.8, p = 0.015), and affiliation with an academic medical center (OR 3.32, 95% CI 1.05–10.45, p = 0.04) were independently associated with willingness (a “yes” response) to join a PPAG PBRN. CONCLUSIONS Within the PPAG membership, there is sufficient interest, expertise, patient exposure, and member time to develop a PBRN focused on pediatric pharmacotherapy. The identified characteristics associated with willingness to join the PBRN can help focus efforts for member involvement, education, and recruitment to ensure sustainability of the PPAG PBRN.


Author(s):  
Marc R. Del Bigio ◽  
Edward S. Johnson

Background:The expansion of neurosurgery and neurology in Montreal and Toronto in the early 20th century was the stimulus for the development of neuropathology in Canada. Rooted in the disciplines of the neurosciences and laboratory medicine, neuropathology evolved into an independent discipline with the founding of the Canadian Association of Neuropathologists in 1960, and the recognition as a specialty by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Canada in 1965, fostering the development of several successful training programs. Nonetheless, a paucity of data remains concerning the background of training, scopes of practice, and career paths.Method:We conducted a survey of all physicians in Canada who have either practiced neuropathology or undergone relevant training.Results:In 2009, 53 physicians were engaged in the practice of neuropathology, either exclusively or a substantial proportion of their time. Most work in tertiary hospitals, but a few service non-academic medical centers. Three routes of training were identified: direct from medical school (often with relevant research training), indirect from another clinical neuroscience specialty, and following or in conjunction with certification in one of the other pathology specialties. Practice profiles differ slightly, and some of the neuropathologists entering from pathology have mixed anatomical pathology/neuropathology responsibilities. Many of those with prior exposure in the neurosciences are more productive with regard to research and publications.Conclusions:Existing multiple options for neuropathology training have facilitated recruitment and allowed development of a mosaic of specialists able to fulfill the diversity of needs in Canadian medical and scientific communities.


2019 ◽  
Vol 156 (6) ◽  
pp. S-1504
Author(s):  
Juan S. Barajas-Gamboa ◽  
Ricard Corcelles ◽  
Joshua P. Landreneau ◽  
Carlos Abril ◽  
Andrew T. Strong ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 235-239
Author(s):  
Emma K. T. Benn ◽  
Chengcheng Tu ◽  
Ann-Gel S. Palermo ◽  
Luisa N. Borrell ◽  
Michaela Kiernan ◽  
...  

As clinical researchers at academic medical institutions across the United States increasingly manage complex clinical databases and registries, they often lack the statistical expertise to utilize the data for research purposes. This statistical inadequacy prevents junior investigators from disseminating clinical findings in peer-reviewed journals and from obtaining research funding, thereby hindering their potential for promotion. Underrepresented minorities, in particular, confront unique challenges as clinical investigators stemming from a lack of methodologically rigorous research training in their graduate medical education. This creates a ripple effect for them with respect to acquiring full-time appointments, obtaining federal research grants, and promotion to leadership positions in academic medicine. To fill this major gap in the statistical training of junior faculty and fellows, the authors developed the Applied Statistical Independence in Biological Systems (ASIBS) Short Course. The overall goal of ASIBS is to provide formal applied statistical training, via a hybrid distance and in-person learning format, to junior faculty and fellows actively involved in research at US academic medical institutions, with a special emphasis on underrepresented minorities. The authors present an overview of the design and implementation of ASIBS, along with a short-term evaluation of its impact for the first cohort of ASIBS participants.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 72
Author(s):  
Janet Stajic ◽  
Stephen Harfield ◽  
Alex Brown ◽  
Anna Dawson ◽  
Carol Davy ◽  
...  

A Masterclass Program was developed to strengthen the research capacity of staff within Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) and featured three Masterclasses delivered across Australia, including Understanding Research, Undertaking Research and Research Evaluation. A mixed-method process and impact evaluation of the Masterclass Program was undertaken. The process evaluation examined the reach of the Program and the impact evaluation comprised an online survey (n=45) and semi-structured interviews (n=21) with Masterclass participants. During 2014–17, 27 Masterclasses were delivered to 260 people, including predominantly ACCHO personnel but also Indigenous doctors and research institute staff who work closely with the ACCHO sector. Most survey respondents felt the Masterclasses improved their understanding of research and their willingness to participate in and undertake research. The qualitative analysis confirmed this and suggested that Masterclasses were implemented in a supportive learning environment which led to increased research capacity (increased research awareness, changed perceptions, increased understanding, critical thinking and new confidence) and ultimately enhanced research engagement (willingness to participate, motivating others, empowered critique of research partners and proposals, interest in further research training). Barriers to research engagement and areas for improvement of the Masterclass Program before, during and after Masterclasses were also identified.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (s1) ◽  
pp. 67-67
Author(s):  
Brenda Eakin ◽  
Elias M. Samuels ◽  
Vicki Ellingrod ◽  
Carolynn Jones ◽  
Camille Anne Martina ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: The DIAMOND project encourages study team workforce development through the creation of a digital learning space that brings together resources from across the CTSA consortium. This allows for widespread access to and dissemination of training and assessment materials. DIAMOND also includes access to an ePortfolio that encourages CRPs to define career goals and document professional skills and training. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Four CTSA institutions (the University of Michigan, the Ohio State University, University of Rochester, and Tufts CTSI) collaborated to develop and implement the DIAMOND portal. The platform is structured around eight competency domains, making it easy for users to search for research training and assessment materials. Contributors can upload links to (and meta-data about) training and assessment materials from their institutions, allowing resources to be widely disseminated through the DIAMOND platform. Detailed information about materials included in DIAMOND is collected through an easy to use submission form. DIAMOND also includes an ePortfolio designed for CRPs. This encourages workforce development by providing a tool for self-assessment of clinical research skills, allowing users to showcase evidence of experience, training and education, and fosters professional connections. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: To date, more than 100 items have been posted to DIAMOND from nine contributors. In the first 30 days there were 229 active users with more than 500 page views from across the U.S. as well as China and India. Training materials were viewed most often from four competency domains: 1) Scientific Concepts & Research Design, 2) Clinical Study Operations, 3) Ethical & Participant Safety, and 4) Leadership & Professionalism. Additionally, over 100 CRPs have created a DIAMOND ePortfolio account, using the platform to document skills, connect with each other, and search for internships and job opportunities. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: Lessons learned during development of the DIAMOND digital platform include defining relevant information to collect for the best user experience; selection of a standardized, user-friendly digital platform; and integration of the digital network and ePortfolio. Combined, the DIAMOND portal and ePortfolio provide a professional development platform for clinical research professionals to contribute, access, and benefit from training and assessment opportunities relevant to workforce development and their individual career development needs.


2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 96-96
Author(s):  
David V Pham ◽  
James P. Dolan ◽  
Brian S. Diggs ◽  
Erin W. Gilbert ◽  
Brett C. Sheppard ◽  
...  

96 Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the evolution in the surgical management of esophageal disease at an academic medical center during the last decade. Methods: We reviewed a retrospective cohort of patients who underwent esophagectomy between 2004 and 2013 for benign and malignant esophageal disease. Patient, institutional and postoperative variables were abstracted and reviewed across the study period. Results: 317 patients were analyzed. The median age was 63.5 years and 80% were male. Malignancy accounted for 88% of esophagectomy patients in 2004 and 97% in 2013. Operations for high grade dysplasia (HGD) decreased 75% in the same period (p=0.008). In 2004, an Ivor Lewis esophagectomy was the most common surgical technique but the 3-Field technique has become the operation of choice in 2013 (54% vs.71%, p<0.001). Likewise, a laparoscopic approach was used in 19% of cases in 2004 and 100% of cases in 2013 (p<0.001). Median lymph node harvest increased from 7 to 18 nodes (p=0.001). Atrial fibrillation was the most common perioperative complication (24%) and anastomotic leaks ranged between 3 to 14% (p=0.18), occurring in 3% of patients in 2013. Hospital stay decreased from 15 to 8 days over the study period (p=0.001). In 2013, 89% of patients were discharge to home compared to 73% in 2004 (p=0.04). The average mortality rate for our cohort was 3.5%. Conclusions: Over the last decade, our treatment of esophageal disease has evolved from a predominant open Ivor Lewis to a laparoscopic 3-Field approach. Operations for malignancy have also increased dramatically. Postoperative complications and mortality has been consistently low during the latter years of the study.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 10526-10526 ◽  
Author(s):  
Divyanshi Jalan ◽  
Fidel Rubagumya ◽  
Wilma M. Hopman ◽  
Verna D. Vanderpuye ◽  
Gilberto Lopes ◽  
...  

10526 Background: While several studies have highlighted the global shortages of oncologists and their workload, few have studied the characteristics of current oncology training. Methods: An online survey was distributed through a snowball method via national oncology societies and a pre-existing network of contacts to cancer care providing physicians in 57 countries. Countries were classified into low- or lower-middle-income countries (LMICs), upper-middle-income countries (UMICs), and high-income countries (HICs) based on World Bank criteria. Results: 273 physicians who trained in 57 different countries responded to the survey; 33% (90/273), 32% (87/273), and 35% (96/273) in LMICs, UMICs and HICs respectively. 60% of respondents were practicing physicians and 40% were in training. The proportion of trainees was higher in LMICs (51%; 45/89) and UMICs (42%; 37/84), than HICs (19%; 28/96; P = 0.013). A higher proportion of respondents from LMICs (37%; 27/73) self-fund their core oncology training compared to UMICs (13%; 10/77) and HICs (11%; 10/89; P < 0.001). Respondents from HICs were more likely to complete an accepted abstract, poster and publication from their research activities compared to respondents from UMICs and LMICs (abstract: 37/72 (51%) from HICs, 18/66 (27%) from UMICs, 24/65 (37%) from LMICs, P = 0.014; poster: (42/72 (58%) from HICs, 28/66 (42%) from UMICs, 13/65 (20%) from LMICs, P < 0.001; publication: 43/72 (60%) from HICs, 32/66 (49%) from UMICs, 24/65 (37%) from LMICs, P = 0.029). Respondents identified several barriers to effective training including skewed service to education ratio and burnout. With regards to preparedness for practice, mean scores on a 5-point Likert scale were low for professional tasks like supervision and mentoring of trainees, leadership and effective management of an oncology practice, and understanding of healthcare systems irrespective of country grouping. Conclusions: Investment in training by the public sector would be vital to decreasing the prevalence of self-funding in LMIC. Gaps in research training and enhancement of competencies in research dissemination in LMIC require attention. Instruction on cancer care systems and leadership need to be incorporated in training curricula in both LMICs and HICs.


2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 147470491774272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony C. Lopez

The study of warfare from an evolutionary perspective has expanded rapidly over the last couple of decades. However, it has tended to focus on the ancestral origins, prevalence, and instruments of war rather than adaptationist analyses of its underlying psychology. I argue that our evolved coalitional psychology may contain a set of distinct evolved heuristics designed specifically for offensive and defensive coalitional aggression. Data from two survey experiments are presented, in which subjects were given scenarios depicting offensive or defensive aggression and were told to make decisions, for example, regarding their willingness to participate in the conflict, their opinions of others who did not choose to participate, and their expectations benefit. The results indicate that humans do indeed distinguish readily between these two domains and that their willingness to participate, as well as their emotional responses toward others, is highly contingent upon this informational cue in adaptively relevant ways. In addition, and consistent with parental investment theory, data reveal a range of sex differences in attitudes toward coalitional aggression in the two conflict domains. Beyond the study of warfare, this project has implications for our understanding of the relationship between individual behavior and group dynamics, as well as for our understanding of the mechanisms by which the psychological framing of political events can lead to important social outcomes.


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