Evidence-based practice strategies for faculty professional development in clinical translational research at Institutional Development Award (IDeA) state institutions in the Mountain West

Abstract

The Mountain West Clinical Translational Research - Infrastructure Network (MW CTR-IN), established in 2013, is a research network of 13 university partners located among seven Institutional Development Award (IDeA) states targeting health disparities. This is an enormous undertaking because of the size of the infrastructure network (encompassing a third of the US landmass and spanning four time zones in predominantly rural and underserved areas, with populations that have major health disparities issues). In this paper, we apply the barriers, strategies, and metrics to an adapted educational conceptual model by Fink (2013). Applying this model, we used four tailored approaches across this regional infrastructure network to: (1) assess individual faculty specific needs, (2) reach out and engage with faculty, (3) provide customized services to meet the situational needs of faculty, and (4) utilize a "closed communication feedback loop" between Professional Development (PD) core and MW CTR-IN faculty within the context of their home institutional environment. Summary statement results from participating faculty show that these approaches were positive. Grounded in best educational practice approaches, we have an opportunity to refine and build from this sound foundation with implications for future use in other CTR-IN networks and institutions in the IDeA states.

Keywords: MW CTR-IN; career development; clinical translational research; health disparities; mentoring; research education & training.

Fig. 1.

Mountain West CTR-IN program university partners. Legend: AK – Alaska: (1) University of Alaska, Anchorage, (2) University of Alaska, Fairbanks; HI – Hawaii: (3) University of Hawaii at Manoa (Professional Development (PD) Core); ID – Idaho: (4) Boise State University (Boise), (5) Idaho State University (Pocatello), (6) University of Idaho (Moscow); MT – Montana: Montana State University (Bozeman), (8) University of Montana (Missoula) (Clinical Pilots Project Program (CP3) and Community Engagement & Outreach (CEO) Core(s)); NV – Nevada: (9) University of Nevada, Las Vegas - Host Institution (Administrative Core), (10) University of Nevada, Reno – School of Medicine - (PD and Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Research & Design (BERD) Core(s)); NM – New Mexico: (11) New Mexico State University (Las Cruces), (12) University of New Mexico – School of Medicine (Albuqurque) - (PD, BERD, and Tracking & Evaluation (T&E) Core(s)); WY – Wyoming:University of Wyoming (CP3 Core) (13).

Fig. 2.

Organizational structure – MW CTR-IN program & PD core communications. Legend: ADM – Administrative Core; ATF – Advance to Funding Programs; BERD – Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Research, & Design Core; CEO – Community Engagement & Outreach Core; CP3 – Clinical Pilots Project Program Core; CAG – Curriculum Advisory Group; EAC – External Advisory Committee; GWW – Grant Writing Workshop; IT – Information Technology; IAC – Internal Advisory Committee; PD – Professional Development Core; T&E – Tracking & Evaluation Core.

Fig. 3.

Professional Development Core – Communication Linkage through the MW CTR-IN Portal & Portfolio. Legend: ADM – Administrative Core; ATF – Advance to Funding; ATRIP – Ambassador Translational Research in Progress; BERD – Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Research, & Design Core; CAG – Curriculum Advisory Group; CP3 – Clinical Pilot Projects Program Core; CTR-IN – Clinical Translational Research Infrastructure Network; FiDeLITY – Frequent, Immediate, Discriminating, Loving; FMDP – Faculty Mentor Development Program; GWW – Grant Writing Workshop; IDP – Individual Development Plan; IT – Information Technology; MW CTR-IN – Mountain West Clinical Translational Research Infrastructure Network; NCATS – National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences; PD – Professional Development Core; T&E – Tracking and Evaluation Core.

Fig. 4.

Significant learning experience – criteria.