Clinical Epidemiology Training in Gastroenterology

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PROJECT SUMMARY The Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (GI) of the Department of Medicine, in collaboration with Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (CCEB) and the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics (LDI), submits this application to continue an innovative and successful post-doctoral training program for clinical investigators in gastrointestinal clinical research. The University of Pennsylvania (Penn) Perelman School of Medicine promotes an academic environment in which research is encouraged and flourishes as a career paths This high impact training program attracts trainees nationwide and its graduates move into institutions nationwide. The objectives of the research training program are to 1) train clinicians to be rigorous and independent academic investigators able to use a broad array of clinical research methods to address research issues in gastroenterology related to the etiology, prognosis, prevention, early detection, treatment, clinical economics, technology assessment, medical decision making, and quality of patient care; 2) provide closely mentored research experiences with faculty preceptors with expertise in clinical research and gastroenterology; and 3) strengthen the links between clinical research and gastroenterology. The rationale for the design of the training program stems from the tremendous need for physician-scientists with expertise in clinical research methodology to advance the field of gastroenterology and recognition that formal research training is necessary to develop leaders in clinical research. The design of the training program includes: 1) required courses in clinical epidemiology, health services research, biostatistics, implementation science, grant writing and gastroenterology epidemiology; 2) elective courses relevant to the trainees’ methodologic interests; 3) a research apprenticeship; 4) journal clubs and conferences focusing on research issues in gastroenterology; 5) independent readings; 6) a professional and career development seminar series; and 7) instruction in the responsible conduct of research. These formal didactics have been constructed to prepare trainees to design and complete a mentored but trainee led research project. The program: 1) Four fellowship slots are awarded each year. Trainees will matriculate in either the Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology (MSCE) or Master of Science in Health Policy Research (MSHP) or Master of Health Care Innovation (MHCI) degree program. Trainees will remain in the program for two years. Strengths of the proposed program are: 1) the long history of successful research training programs in the GI Division, CCEB, and LDI; 2) the collaborative links that already have been forged among the three programs; 3) the comprehensive course offerings and ongoing research programs available to trainees; 4) the successful training records of the program directors and faculty, and 5) the track record of the program to produce independent clinical investigators conducting grant-funded clinical research in gastroenterology.