Advanced Course in Cancer Control Implementation Research - PROJECT SUMMARY Background. Much of the cancer burden is preventable, yet there remains a large gap between the evidence known to control cancer and its widespread application in clinical and community settings. Over the past two decades, implementation research (IR) has emerged to shorten this “translation gap.” However, significant gaps exist in training in advanced IR methods for cancer control. This education program is uniquely positioned to fill this void. Audience and Aims. The overall goal is to develop and deliver the Advanced Course in Cancer Control Implementation Research. This is the first course focused synergistically on advanced IR skills, cancer disparities, and mentored training. The program's audience is doctoral-level researchers (PhDs, MDs)—primarily early- to mid-career- and includes a small number of late-career individuals. The aims of this training program, led by Washington University in St. Louis, are to: 1) deliver an advanced IR curriculum for cancer control researchers (Scholars) in a 4-day course over 5 summers (116 Scholars over the 5-year project); 2) evaluate all training program components and Scholars’ career development and impacts; and 3) actively disseminate training program components for adoption by other researchers and institutions. Team, Methods, and Evaluation. An outstanding, multidisciplinary faculty team provides complementary skills and expertise in IR for cancer control, addressing cancer disparities, community-engaged research, course development, mentoring, and course delivery. The team will implement a recruitment plan to identify a high-quality pool of Scholars. Faculty mentors will receive additional training to improve their mentoring skills continuously. Project evaluation will rely on multi- (quantitative and qualitative) methods to triangulate data and draw conclusions about the training’s reach and effectiveness. Innovations, Dissemination and Impact. Our training program is highly innovative because it: 1) will be the first focusing on advanced IR skills for cancer control, 2) strongly emphasizes addressing cancer disparities, 3) includes early-career faculty as co-trainers, 4) uses social network methods to reveal and improve collaborations, and 5) will document impacts (e.g., early practice changes) beyond usual academic metrics. Active dissemination strategies will ensure that tools and cancer training approaches are useful, relevant, and ready for widespread dissemination. Selected dissemination products include a train-the-trainer module, online program materials, and integration of program findings into ongoing cancer training at the host institution. We will impact the field by enhancing our abilities to: 1) conduct high-quality IR to reduce cancer disparities, 2) speed up the translation of cancer control knowledge into practice and policy, and 3) train the next generation of cancer researchers in advanced IR methods. Substantial matching contributions from Washington University and partners will amplify these impacts.
