Growing Researchers to Support Older adult Wellbeing in Serious Illness, including Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, through Applied Biopsychosocial Care and Support (GROWS-Biopsychosocial) - The biopsychosocial model was developed over four decades ago at the University of Rochester to call attention to the limitations of the dominant biomedical model in explaining and addressing significant aspects of health, illness and wellbeing. The biopsychosocial model takes a transdisciplinary approach to study the interconnected relationships of biologic, psychologic, and social factors in understanding health and treating illness. This model has significantly impacted many fields of medicine including geriatrics and palliative care. Older adults in particular stand to benefit from interventions informed by this model as they and their family caregivers: often suffer from chronic illnesses and symptoms not remediable by the biomedical model (including Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) a key research interest of the Program Director); are at high risk to be harmed by biomedical interventions applied without considering psychosocial values; and desire care that goes beyond the medical to address social, emotional, financial and spiritual concerns. Despite this strong theoretical support, there has been a striking underinvestment in applied biopsychosocial research to improve older adult wellbeing. We aim to address this gap through a new post-doctoral T32 program to support up to 5 trainees for a two to three-year fellowship focused on pragmatic biopsychosocial research to improve the health and wellbeing of older adults with serious illness and their family caregivers. Key aspects of this proposal include: 1) Grounding trainees in the real-world applications and implications of the biopsychosocial model including experiential learning with older adults and other key stakeholders; 2) Connecting trainees locally and nationally to a supportive and encouraging community of like-minded researchers; 3) Developing critical skills and methodological rigor aimed at improving the impact and relevance of trainee research; 4) Providing mentorship, career development guidance, and leadership training to assist trainees in navigating (and funding) their careers while remaining true to their highest values and purpose; and 5) Preparing trainees to maximize the real-world impact of their work from day one, including considering how their future interventions will be implemented and disseminated equitably. We will build on the unique culture, faculty and resources of the University of Rochester to support trainees including leveraging our Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, Aging Institute, Roybal Center for Social Ties in Aging Research, Palliative Medicine Division, Cancer Institute, Geriatric Oncology program, Department of Neurology, Neuropalliative Care program, Department of Family Medicine, Center for Communication and Disparities Research, School of Nursing, and School of Public Health. Training activities include a mentored original research project, formal research coursework, a weekly seminar series, and a wide range of other offerings tailored to trainee research interests. Our goals are to train resilient, compassionate, and creative researchers and leaders who will make an impact in the provision of care and evolution of systems to improve the lives and wellbeing of older adults living with serious illness and their families.
