Strengthening Child Health Research Capacity in Resource Constrained Settings

Washington University, Saint Louis MO

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

This competing renewal, “Strengthening Child Health Research Capacity in Resource Constrained Settings” training program (referred to hereafter as” the training program”) aims to advance and test state-of-the-art research methods training and “hands-on” research experience for advanced doctoral students and early career investigators, committed to addressing the serious threats to child health, as well as prevention and care differences in poverty-impacted contexts. The training program develops and supports a pipeline of new child health research investigators who are prepared to advance scientific knowledge about system and community-level structural interventions that can address the disproportionate health burdens experienced by poverty-impacted youth via enhancing protective family, neighborhood, system supports; reducing differences; and advancing health access and availability. The training program is guided by 4 Specific Aims: Aim 1. Recruit 5 cohorts of advanced doctoral students and early career investigators, committed to conducting child health and behavioral health prevention, intervention, services, implementation, and scale-up research within resource-constrained settings (Fellows; n=45 across 5 years); Aim 2. Deliver a summer research training program aimed at equipping Fellows with skills to address the challenges in resource-poor settings through didactic instruction, mentoring, “hands-on” immersion in child- and family-focused studies, individualized consultation, goal setting, monitoring, and ongoing support in resources over time; Aim 3. Advance academic/community/safety net system research partnerships on child health and well-being; and Aim 4. Examine the short-term and longitudinal impact of the training program (across 10 cohorts; n=90 RRT Fellows). Fellows participate in a 2-week, face-to-face training program at Washington University in St. Louis. Fellows then spend 4 to 6 weeks embedded across a set of existing child health-focused research studies. A rigorous mixed-methods evaluation tracks individual Fellow progress, as well as the impact of the training program on overall child health research partnerships.