scholarly journals Refining a Summer Biomedical Research Training Program for American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) Students

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-97
Author(s):  
Naomi Lee ◽  
Alfreda Nelson ◽  
Vanessa Svihla
Keyword(s):  
American Indian ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Alaska Native ◽  
Research Training ◽  
Attrition Rate ◽  
Biomedical Science ◽  
Economically Disadvantaged Students ◽  
Engineering Mathematics ◽  
Research Training Program ◽  
Post Baccalaureate

Literature shows that students who enter the science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medical-related (STEMM) pipeline at earlier stages of their career are more likely to be successful. This is especially true for under-represented and economically disadvantaged students. Despite the increasing number of students entering the pipeline, American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) students still have a higher attrition rate compared to other ethnic groups. Educators and government agencies have worked to improve the success rate for AIAN students across all levels and fields by developing various programs aimed at training and mentorship. In 2007, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, MD, increased their outreach efforts for recruiting AIAN students for the summer internship program. Our goal was to develop a culturally tailored research-training program that could recruit and retain AIAN students into STEMM degrees and careers. We adapted an existing program that provides training in biomedical science and mentorship at an NINDS research laboratory. From 2007 to 2016, of the 41 AIAN interns who participated, 35 (85%) remained in STEMM fields. Five interns obtained post baccalaureate positions at NIH and four entered graduate or medical school. These successful outcomes were brought about only after navigating myriad obstacles. We identified obstacles for AIAN student participation, and made adaptations to the summer internship. We made design decisions regarding recruitment, feasibility, lab placement and mentorship, supporting research and social networking, and sustaining AIAN culture. This design case highlights the obstacles and strategies for success that we developed.

EVALUATION OF AN INTENSIVE SUMMER RESEARCH TRAINING PROGRAM FOR AMERICAN INDIAN/ALASKA NATIVE HEALTH RESEARCHERS

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grazia Cunningham ◽  
Thomas Becker ◽  
Caitlin Donald ◽  
Tanya Firemoon ◽  
Ashley Thomas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
American Indian ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Alaska Native ◽  
Research Training ◽  
Research Training Program

Factors influencing attrition from a researcher training program

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Schmidt ◽  
Keira Robinson ◽  
Emma Webster
Keyword(s):  
Training Program ◽  
Capacity Building ◽  
Research Training ◽  
Critical Time ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Attrition Rate ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Training Program ◽  
Building Program

Purpose – This study explored attrition from a novice health researcher training program. The aim of this paper was to identify factors contributing to attrition from the RRCBP that if understood could decrease attrition from this standalone researcher training program. Design/methodology/approach – Using a capacity building framework, this case-control study compared demographic characteristics and features of 30 withdrawn research trainees to 68 graduated trainees from the Rural Research Capacity Building Program, run by the Health Education and Training Institute of New South Wales, Australia between 2006 and 2010. Data were analysed using Exact Logistic Regression, Chi-square and Fisher's Exact tests. Findings – An attrition rate of 29 per cent was associated with a range of individual, organisational and supra-organisational factors. Withdrawals occurred prior to ethics submission (n=13, 43 per cent), after unsuccessful ethics submission (n=8, 27 per cent), or after receiving ethics approval (n=9, 30 per cent). Clinicians were less likely to withdraw than non-clinical staff (p=0.03). Profession, project ownership, funding sources and type of research were not significant factors in attrition, while the effect of location was mixed indicating a potential impact of peer support networks in areas with high numbers of trainees. Practical implications – This research demonstrates attrition from a research training program is associated with trainees receiving appropriate and timely support. In the formative stages researchers require support, particularly those working in professional or geographical isolation. Originality/value – This study is the first of its kind in examining in detail reasons for withdrawal from a standalone research training program and will allow coordinators of similar programs to target support to vulnerable research trainees at critical time points.

scholarly journals Development and evaluation of a community-engaged research training program: Building capacity of Marshallese stakeholders and academic researchers to conduct health research

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pearl A McElfish ◽  
Brett Rowland ◽  
Britni L Ayers ◽  
Gail E O'Connor ◽  
Rachel S Purvis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Disparities ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Participatory Research ◽  
Research Training ◽  
Pacific Islanders ◽  
Community Engaged Research ◽  
Community Stakeholders ◽  
Obesity And Diabetes ◽  
Academic Researchers ◽  
Research Training Program

Pacific Islanders are a growing, yet understudied population who suffer from high rates of chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes. Given the historical trauma experienced by Pacific Islanders, community-based participatory research (CBPR) is an appropriate way to conduct research focused on reducing the health disparities observed in this population. This paper presents the process of engaging the Marshallese community to design, conduct, and evaluate a community-engaged research training program. The goal of the program was to build the capacity of both academic researchers and community stakeholders to conduct CBPR for the purpose of addressing health disparities identified and prioritized by the Marshallese community. The program included both didactic training and experiential mentored research components delivered over a period of two years. Eleven Marshallese community stakeholders and eleven academic researchers participated in the program. Results indicated that the program successfully increased participants’ knowledge regarding the CBPR process. Groups of participants have completed exploratory research projects based on the topics identified by the community. The evaluation adds important insights to the current CBPR training literature and can inform future CBPR trainings. Keywordscommunity-based participatory research, community-engaged research, Pacific Islanders, minority health, health disparities, interprofessional training

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