Design of a Multidisciplinary Training Program in Complementary and Integrative Health Clinical Research: Building Research Across Interdisciplinary Gaps

Abstract

Despite wide use by the public, limited evidence is available for many complementary and integrative health (CIH) practices. Thus, clinical researchers knowledgeable about CIH disciplines are necessary to study the efficacy and effectiveness of CIH practices to benefit the public health. To partially address the need for clinical researchers versed in CIH, the authors of this study report the design of an interprofessional clinical research training program focused on CIH, the Building Research across Interdisciplinary Gaps (BRIDG) program, supported by a 5-year T90/R90 grant from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. The T90-supported arm of the program trains doctoral-level CIH providers in clinical research at the research-intensive University of Washington. The R90-supported arm of the program trains researchers with conventional backgrounds in the practices of CIH at the clinic-intensive National University of Natural Medicine. The "Translational Science Spectrum" provides a common conceptual framework for both programs. Specific program elements include: individualized didactic training in clinical research and CIH disciplines; placement with clinical research mentors; placement with clinical mentors in CIH disciplines; shared and independent research project development; and interdisciplinary experiences through seminars and retreats. Program evaluation includes annual completion of the Clinical Research Appraisal Inventory (CRAI), which queries confidence in research skills and methods and periodic evaluation of training elements using the Supplemental Kellogg Logic-World Health Organization model, which emphasizes relevance, adequacy, efficiency, effectiveness, process, impact, equity, and sustainability. The BRIDG program exemplifies a new standard in interprofessional clinical research training, made possible through strong collaboration between disparate research- and clinically intensive institutions.

Keywords: clinical research training; integrative research; interprofessional education.

FIG. 1.

The translational science spectrum. The translation science spectrum, according to the National Institutes of Health National Center for Advancing Translational Science, provides the framework for the BRIDG clinical research training program. BRIDG provides trainees with opportunities to translate CIH into research questions along the spectrum. BRIDG, Building Research across Interdisciplinary Gaps; CIH, complementary and integrative health. This article is reproduced under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0), https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

FIG. 2.

Elements of the BRIDG program partnership by training site. The success of the BRIDG program stems from its inclusion of contributions from both the University of Washington and the National University of Natural Medicine. Trainees benefit from the respective strengths of each institution, and the collaboration between faculty and program directors from both institutions. BRIDG, Building Research across Interdisciplinary Gaps; CIH, complementary and integrative health.

FIG. 3.

BRIDG assessment of trainee background for core clinical research knowledge and skills in CIH. Two of the novelties of the BRIDG training model are as follows: (1) assessment of trainee backgrounds for the critical skills necessary to conduct clinical research in CIH, according to the algorithm above; and (2) individualization of each trainee's career development plan according to each assessment. BRIDG, Building Research across Interdisciplinary Gaps; IND, investigational new drug; IRB, Institutional Review Board.