Health Services and Outcomes Research for Aging Populations

Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore MD

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

ABSTRACT Person- and family-oriented care is pivotal to maximizing health and function in old age. The goal of this program is to produce the next generation of researchers with rigorous training in person and family-centered health services and outcomes research, all applied to geriatrics and gerontology. This program is conducted jointly by health services researchers, gerontologic nursing researchers, and geriatricians with a strong commitment to bringing together students and fellows in all these disciplines to develop expertise in the content areas and methodologies that are essential to advancement of the field and an understanding of how health services, care delivery and financing systems might optimally be designed to serve the needs of older adults. This training program capitalizes on the rich resources for health services, gerontology, nursing, and geriatric research at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (JHSPH), the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (SOM), School of Nursing (SON), and the University. Pre- and post-doctoral trainees obtain the skills and experiences needed to lead multi-disciplinary, collaborative research teams. Pre-doctoral trainees undertake a rigorous program of coursework in the core domains of public health and gerontology including epidemiology, biostatistics, health services, health policy, and research ethics. In close consultation with their training program advisor team, post-doctoral trainees will complete core training grant curriculum courses and additional courses required to complement their prior academic experience. All pre- and post- doctoral trainees participate in a year-long practicum experience, a bi-weekly seminar, ongoing mentored research projects, and yearly integrative activities to complement their didactic curriculum. These components provide trainees with a solid foundation in health services and outcomes research while providing the opportunity to pursue specialized training in focal areas of interest. The program will include 7 trainees, 4 pre- doctoral trainees and 3 post-doctoral trainees per year. These trainees will be supported by an experienced group of 18 core faculty and 18 affiliate faculty with expertise in one or more fields related to aging research. The training program Co-Directors, Drs. Jennifer Wolff and Cynthia Boyd are accomplished scholars and national leaders in their research fields who have a strong track record of co-mentorship. A nationally recognized Advisory Committee provides high-level guidance. The training program is housed in the JHSPH Department of Health Policy and Management and jointly administered with the JHSOM Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, with strong ties to Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. The overarching aim of the program is to identify and train scholars who will become leaders in person and family-oriented research relating to aging populations.