2009 DOM Annual Report - Department of Medicine - University of ...

2007programs, was established this past year. The Assistant Dean createda collaborative Fellowship Committee for these programs in Medicineand all departments collectively, using the model of the DOMCommittee.ADVANCED DEGREE TEACHINGThe DOM offers a great variety of training and education beyond thebasic clinical fellowships of the Medical Center Medical EducationPrograms. Already mentioned are a number of fellows doing extrayear(s) of research before or after their formal programs.There are also extensive formal programs in advanced researchor education areas, many of which offer a separate degree orcertification. They are organized as follows:Institute for Clinical Research Education (ICRE)At the heart of the clinical research training enterprise is the ICRE,an institute devoted to the development of high-quality clinicalresearchers through the Schools of the Health Sciences (SHS).The mission of the ICRE is to offer the highest-caliber training andeducation in clinical research to all levels of trainees in the SHS and toenhance collaboration among trainees and researchers from multipledisciplines. Established in 2005 under the direction of Dr. Kapoorof General Internal Medicine, the ICRE brings all of the University’spremier clinical research training programs under one organizationand into one physical space. Some of these programs, such as the K30CRTP, are described below. The establishment of the ICRE representsthe University’s clear commitment to high-quality training of clinicalscientists. The Institute includes core faculty and mentors from allof the six SHS. The ICRE has dedicated 12,000 square feet of spacewith smart classrooms, conference rooms (with smart Boards), astate-of-the-art computer laboratory, faculty offices, staff space, and30 cubicles for trainees. This facility allows for effective coordinationof programs and mentoring through the close proximity of programstaff and faculty. The organizational structure promotes cohesionand opportunities for multidisciplinary collaboration. The Director ofthe ICRE reports to the Senior Vice Chancellor for the Health Sciences.With funding of Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI),ICRE became the organization supporting the education and careerdevelopment arm of the CTSI.CTSI was funded in September 2006 bringing together translationalresearch, training and institutional research resources under the CTSIfor advancing clinical and translational research. CTSI funding andstructure will be used to develop and enhance the following programsnow existing within the ICRE:Clinical Research Training Program (CRTP)This program, which is supported by NIH, provides students at alllevels the skills necessary to design and conduct high-quality clinicalresearch involving human subjects. The CRTP begins with a tightlyintegrated core curriculum that is taught over an intensive eightweeksummer session. This is followed by a nine-month integratedmethodology seminar that builds on the skills introduced during thesummer. Upon successful completion of the core curriculum and theseminar series, trainees may continue their studies in a more specificfield of interest. Completion of all the base programs leads to a Masterof Science in Clinical Research. Under CTSI, a PhD program in Clinicaland Translational Science is being developed as well as a Certificatein Clinical and Translational Research. New courses in translationalresearch will be added to the program. The CRTP is in its sixth yearand was successfully refunded for another five years starting in June2005. The number of enrolled trainees has increased substantiallyevery year, as has the number of course offerings. In 2007, there were46 enrollees in the summer intensive program, and 38 courses (alldeveloped over the past five years) were offered. There have been atotal of 150 trainees so far, and nearly all go on to careers in research.Clinician Educator Training Program (CETP)In its fourth year, the CETP is focusing on faculty development skillsand introducing innovative teaching strategies. A total of 18 newlycreatededucation courses are now available in the CETP, and eightDivision of General Medicine members serve as directors of thesecourses. Since its inception, the program has enrolled fifteen trainees,representing clinician educators in general medicine, geriatrics,pediatrics, critical care and nephrology. Four received a Master ofScience in Medical Education and two received a Certificate in MedicalEducation.Clinical Scientist Training Program (CSTP)This program was initially developed to provide clinical researchtraining for medical students. Students take one additional year fortraining as well as longitudinal seminars throughout the entire fiveyears. The didactic training is similar to that of the CRTP describedabove. A CSTP was also developed for residents in medicine. Thisprogram provides a Certificate in Clinical Research and hands-onclinical and translational research experiences for residents over threeyears of their training. Expansion of these programs occurred underCTSI, which will include a larger number of medical students andopening the program to residents from other specialties.K12 Clinical Research Scholars Program (CRSP)This program, initially funded by the NIH Roadmap initiative throughthe K12 mechanism, became part of the CTSI. The CRSP preparesjunior faculty from a broad range of disciplines, specialties, andsubspecialties for independent careers in clinical research. The CRSPbrings together the collaborative efforts of the Schools of the HealthSciences (Schools of Dental Medicine, Health and RehabilitationSciences, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy and Public Health), the manymultidisciplinary research centers at the University of Pittsburgh,and the extensive clinical entities that comprise the University ofPittsburgh Medical Center. The program awards salary and researchsupport for early junior faculty for up to five years and provides themwith training in clinical and translational research methods. We have28 scholars in the program.New Educational Programs under CTSIMultiple new programs and enhancement of existing programs isoccurring under the CTSI. New programs include: PhD in Clinical67