Clinical Research and Academic Success in Obstetrics & Gynecology - PROJECT SUMMARY Diseases and disorders in Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN) and women’s health have a profound impact on public health and families in the U.S. and around the globe. In addition, many of these healthcare issues disproportionately impact women with limited financial resources. For example, infant and maternal morbidity and mortality, preterm birth, low birth weight, unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, infertility, and cervical cancer all impact impoverished persons to a greater extent than more affluent individuals. Unfortunately, there is a lack of well-trained OBGYN clinical investigators to address these important public health problems. The purpose of this R13 application is to provide support for 10 conferences/courses (twice per year for 5 years) to train junior OBGYN investigators in clinical research design, biostatistics, ethical conduct of research and academic success (e.g., publishing, grant writing, promotions, etc.). The specific aims of this application are to: 1) provide support for a group of faculty that will create an educational, interactive, and inspiring course in clinical research design and academic success in OBGYN and women’s health research; 2) recruit promising residents, fellows, and junior faculty in OBGYN who will attend the course, bring back valuable insights to their departments, mentor fellows, OBGYN residents and medical students interested in OBGYN research, and advance cutting edge science that will ultimately improve OBGYN and women’s health; and 3) evaluate and improve this course through iterative approach with feedback from participants and by tracking attendees over time to assess “success.” Success with be defined by tracking academic metrics such as the number of peer-reviewed publications, grants submitted and obtained, and academic advancement (e.g., promotion) and awards. The course will be innovative as it will begin with virtual meetings to establish a baseline knowledge base and to tailor the course itself to attendees and will follow participants over 18-24 months to assess success. It will stimulate new ideas through facilitated brainstorming sessions, group discussions, scheduled, intentional one-on-one interactions (mentoring sessions); The ultimate goal of this course is to train a new and inspired group of new OBGYN investigators who will be poised to advance the health of women and pregnant people in the U.S. and abroad.
