Renewal of Summer Research Program

Charles George Va Medical Center, Asheville NC

Investigators

Abstract

Abstract: Our demonstrated successful Office of Research and Development (ORD) funded Veteran Administration South-Central Appalachian Network Research Development (VA SCAN-RD) seeks to renew Summer Research Program (SRP) funding to increase rural 1) clinician researcher diversity and 2) expand VA research capacity across the South-Central Appalachian (SCA) region and other rural living Veteran areas. The two goals clearly address the existing inequity in rural Veterans enrolled in clinical research trials. This enrollment inequity may inaccurately direct optimal care practice guidelines as rural Veteran needs are not adequately included, and these individuals hold different health care need facilitators/barriers. The Western North Carolina VA Health Care System (WNCVAHCS), serving over 67,000 veterans across a 23-county catchment area partnered with Salisbury (110,000 central North and South Carolina Veterans) and James H. Quillen VAMCs (170,000 Veterans in a 41-county area of northeastern Tennessee, western Virginia, and southern Kentucky) is actively building community partnerships and academic affiliations to strengthen outreach and research capabilities. This program aims to transform research efforts across South-Central rural Appalachia and rural living Veteran regions by engaging potential and existing clinician researchers in a systematic approach to in-depth VA research understanding. During our 3-year Office Research Development funded pilot program we enrolled 36 year one and 7 year two SRP participants: undergraduates; graduate students; professional students; employees; and Veterans. We will continue to recruit undergraduate, graduate, post-doctoral participants and employees from the South-Central Appalachian and other rural living Veteran regions to participate in quality self-directed adult learning focusing on expanding access to rural and underserved Veteran populations. SRP participants asynchronously engage in the 8 module, online curriculum with two required weekly meetings, a cohort group meeting and mentor/mentee group meeting. Our experienced mentor/mentee teams provide research, career, and VA research content support while the SRP multi-discipline cohort members broaden practice and career pathway discussion. Given the travel distances and time and financial difficulty to be onsite this innovative, virtual SRP plan is meeting participant, mentor, and site needs and capabilities. The Executive Medical Center Directors of Charles George, W.G. (Bill) Hefner and James H. Quillen VAMCs, recognize the program potential to diversify and create opportunities for learning and development by empowering the workforce in the SCA and other rural regions, enhance research capabilities, improve healthcare outcomes, and ultimately facilitate optimal Veteran healthcare. Based on our demonstrated successes we seek Summer Research Program renewed 3-year funding to continue a pivotal role in transforming research and educational endeavors in the South-Central Appalachian and other rural regions. Through our ongoing collaborative efforts, we foster clinician-researcher diversity, empower the workforce, and positively impact VHA research services.