NRSA for Primary Medical Care - Project Abstract Project Title: The Wayne State University Primary Care Fellowship Program Disciplines in Application: Behavioral health, including social work, psychology, counseling psychology, or related disciplines Requested amount: Year 1: $317,298 Five-Year Total: $2,020,927 Overview: The Wayne State University Primary Care Fellowship Program is well positioned to address the national shortage of qualified behavioral health researchers focused on primary care. Although promising approaches to integrating behavioral health into primary care have grown, research examining their effectiveness and implementation, particularly in underserved and community-based settings, has not kept pace. This knowledge gap leaves all Americans without the evidence needed to protect and improve their health and well-being. To close this gap, the program trains early career postdoctoral scholars from behavioral health disciplines who are committed to careers in primary care research. Through a layered mentorship model and directed training, it responds to common barriers fellows encounter in completing their educational programs, equipping them to advance the integration of behavioral health into primary care. Goal: The goal of The Wayne State University Primary Care Fellowship is to train 10 postdoctoral fellows to design, conduct, and disseminate rigorous behavioral health research related to primary care by June 30, 2031. Objectives: The proposed project has seven objectives. The core mentoring team will (a) develop the fellowship research training program, including its curriculum and structure, within the first year of the award; (b) enhance the program by refining the curriculum and structure in response to evaluation data collected at the end of each year of implementation; and (c) train 10 postdoctoral fellows in behavioral health research related to primary care by June 30, 2031. Fellows will (a) submit at least 10 extramural grant applications addressing behavioral health research related to primary care; (b) submit at least 50 peer reviewed manuscripts reporting behavioral health research related to primary care; (c) attain placement, with 10 fellows total, in research-intensive positions in behavioral health research related to primary care; and (d) deliver at least 20 presentations of research findings at national conferences, all by June 30, 2031. Implementation: The core mentoring team will train fellows through mentorship and directed training. Mentorship includes four types (primary, group, secondary, and peer), with fellows matched to mentors based on complementary fit. Directed training provides instruction in research methods, grant writing, oral and written presentation, and project management. Each fellow will develop an Individualized Development Plan with their primary mentor and update it at established review points. Fellows will disseminate findings through publications, conference presentations, and community outreach. Mentors will receive annual structured training, and program refinement will draw on Rapid Cycle Quality Improvement and ongoing evaluation of the program. Our proposed project aligns with the three objectives of the National Research Service Award program, the mission of HRSA to improve health outcomes, the strategic objective of HRSA to advance the competencies of the health workforce, and the current priority of HRSA on evidence-based research training that produces measurable results.
