Reducing Health Differences Through Informatics

Columbia University Health Sciences, New York NY

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

Columbia University School of Nursing has been the leader in preparing nurse scientists to conduct interdisciplinary informatics research for nearly two decades through the Reducing Health Differences Through Informatics (RHeaDI) Pre and Postdoctoral Training Program (T32NR007969) and related funding sources. Moreover, RHeaDI leaders, preceptors, and trainees have conducted interdisciplinary informatics research that has advanced nursing science and health promotion. RHeaDI aims and training activities in this competitive renewal build upon the substantial achievements of its 19 years of funding and are well-aligned with the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) commitment to supporting nursing science that focuses on (a) advance research to identify and reduce barriers that limit access to quality health care and contribute to differences in health outcomes; (b) support the development and implementation of evidence-based, community-informed interventions that promote health, well-being, and resilience across the lifespan; and (c) drive innovation that optimize health outcomes for individuals, families, and communities at all stages of life. Building upon RHeaDI’s unique and historic strengths in informatics and data science and the focus on precision health approaches in the last competitive renewal, the competitive renewal focuses on overcoming obstacles to health for all Americans. Given our success in recruiting a cadre of nurses for RHeaDI and the program outcomes, we are requesting 4 predoctoral and 4 postdoctoral positions. The specific aims of RHeaDI for the competitive renewal for Years 21-25 are to: 1) Maintain an administrative structure to support interdisciplinary research training for nurses focused on the use of informatics and data science approaches to advance health promotion, holistic and precision health, and facilitate evidence-based practice; 2) Recruit and train a nursing workforce to engage in interdisciplinary research that leverages informatics and data science to enhance healthcare delivery, promote personalized and holistic approaches to care, and support evidence-based practices that improve health outcomes in the American people. 3) Enhance the knowledge and skills of predoctoral and postdoctoral nurse trainees in the integration of theories and methods from informatics, data science, and public health research to promote health, holistic and precision health, and facilitate evidence-based practice; and 4) Evaluate the training program structures, processes, and outcomes on an ongoing and annual basis. The need for nurse scientists trained to achieve the focus of the RHeaDI aims is greater than ever and Columbia University School of Nursing with its exceptional resources is uniquely qualified to lead this innovative training program.