Multidisciplinary Research Training in Palliative Care

University Of Colorado Denver, Aurora CO

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

The goal of this competitive T32 renewal resubmission application is to continue a research training program that is preparing postdoctoral physician and PhD fellows for careers as scientists addressing priority research topics at the interface of geriatrics and palliative care. Funding is requested for 4 post-doctoral trainees per year, the same number of trainees as in year 5 of the current T32 award. This T32 research training program supports postdoctoral training for both physician-scientists and Ph.D.-scientists. The primary impetus for the current T32 training program, and this requested competitive renewal, is the urgent need for a pipeline of well-trained scientists positioned to advance the field of palliative care, ultimately improving care for older adults with serious illness. This T32-supported research training program addresses a scientific knowledge and research workforce gap in aging and palliative care, namely, the paucity of robust research evidence and a pipeline of investigators. The goals of our T32 program include: 1) recruiting and retaining outstanding post-doctoral trainees; 2) supporting their research training through experiential and didactic instruction, leveraging the program faculty’s expertise in intervention development and testing in pragmatic clinical trials; 3) ensuring the highest level of academic success through conscientious monitoring of thoughtfully constructed individual research career development plans; and 4) enhancing the mentoring skills of early stage mentors through co-mentoring with more experienced senior mentors. These goals remain at the heart of this program and are reflected in the organization and focus of this training grant. To continue to achieve these goals, in response to trainee and external advisory board feedback, we are implementing the following innovations to our curriculum: 1) hybrid delivery with 3 times a year in-person intensives and 2) longitudinal scientific development series. The proposed competitive renewal builds on the demonstrated successes over the first two funding periods (established 2014, renewal 2019). Success in the 2 initial funding periods of this T32 is demonstrated by ability to: 1) fill positions with 15 outstanding multi-disciplinary trainees and foster an ongoing pipeline of trainee candidates; 2) produce academically successful and productive trainees who are publishing peer-reviewed manuscripts, presenting in national venues, obtaining intra- and extra-mural grant funding and attaining research-focused faculty positions; 3) develop the cohort of research mentors by engaging more early stage faculty as co-mentors; and 4) enhance geriatric palliative care research capacity through deliberate and strategic interactions amongst programs and faculty, successfully expanding the cohort of engaged multi-disciplinary experienced mentors. This T32 has, and with ongoing funding will continue to have, immediate local, regional, and national influence by developing a cadre of skilled, productive scientists.