Cancer Care Quality Training Program - ABSTRACT
Evaluation and improvement of cancer care delivery is of growing interest nationally, with a pressing need for
research to support decisions by policy makers, hospital systems, payers, clinicians, and patients. Yet, there
are a limited number of investigators with appropriate training to conduct rigorous research in this field. To
address this need, the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center seeks to renew its T32 Cancer Care
Quality Training Program (CCQTP) (Years 16-20). During the next five years, the CCQTP proposes to support
pre- and postdoctoral fellows yearly and train them for careers in multidisciplinary and collaborative research
focused on quality of cancer care delivery. Led by two co-directors, Dr. Ethan Basch and Dr. Stephanie
Wheeler, an internal Steering Committee, and an interdisciplinary External Advisory Board, the CCQTP trains
a variety of fellows, including health services researchers, epidemiologists, and physicians in relevant
disciplines. The CCQTP has five objectives for our trainees: 1) to master a content area and demonstrate
competence in pertinent research methods; 2) to develop collaborative capability by learning the basic
principles of complementary content areas; 3) to gain mentored research expertise with the guidance of
multidisciplinary preceptors; 4) to develop professional skills required for a successful research career,
including presenting research findings, writing for publication, and securing research funding; and 5) to
incorporate principles of equity and inclusivity in research and professional activities. The flexible training is
tailored to suit each fellow's needs and includes three basic elements: a) a specialized core curriculum that
includes coursework, enrichment programs (seminars, special workshops, journal clubs, etc.) and training in
the responsible conduct of research; b) hands-on research experience directed by teams of experienced
faculty preceptors; and c) professional development, including experience in grant writing. Training generally
lasts for two years, with salaries and research/development allowances designed to be consistent with other
training programs at UNC. The outstanding research environment at UNC includes well-funded and nationally
recognized programs in Cancer Health Policy and Management; Epidemiology; Pharmacoeconomics; and
Clinical Medicine. The CCQTP enjoys close collaborations with the nationally recognized UNC Gillings School
of Global Public Health, School of Medicine, School of Nursing, and Eshelman School of Pharmacy, and
makes use of core facilities in each. Our 18 Preceptors and 17 Affiliates have been selected for their strong
records of scholarship, funding, and mentorship. CCQTP trainees have cumulatively produced 996
publications and most alumni are in academic research positions. Based on our successes over the past 15
years and our strong candidate pool, we seek to expand from 3 pre- and 3 postdoctoral fellows to 4 and 3,
which the rich environment at UNC and well-developed mentorship model can comfortably accommodate.