An International Training Program for Future Health Disparities Researchers: Program Structure and Preliminary Results

Well-trained minority health investigators from under-represented minority groups (i.e., racial and ethnic minorities, individuals from rural settings, socio-economically disadvantaged, or disabled) are in a position to make a unique impact on the science of eliminating health disparities. However, there is a shortage of minority health disparities scientists, especially among nurses, public health practitioners and other health professionals whose training places them in the front lines of addressing health disparities. The Minority Health and Health Disparities International Research Training (MHIRT) is a training program funded by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) to address these gaps. The University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies was awarded one of these training program grants to  encourage and equip undergraduate nursing, public health and health sciences students and second-degree undergraduate nursing (Accelerated BSN) students to pursue careers in health disparities research and make these students more attractive for graduate schools. The training program was strengthened by existing exchange agreements and by two existing centers of excellence at the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies (UMSONHS) - The NIMHD-funded Center of Excellence for Health Disparities Research: El Centro (2P60 MD002266) and The PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Human Resources Development and Patient Safety. This infrastructure provides access to an existing network of nursing schools throughout the globe with which the UMSONHS has a strong history of collaboration in research and training. We partnered with 5 institutions in 4 countries -  Australian Catholic University in Australia, Andres Bello and Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile in Chile, the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra in the Dominican Republic and the University of Alicante in Spain - where the UMSONHS has established student study abroad programs and training/research agreements. The program supported 10 trainees in the first year. Students participated in a 3-week Intensive Global Health Disparities Summer Research Institute, immediately followed by an 8-week research experience in the host country. Students worked work closely with expert research mentors in the host country and at the UMSONHS during this time to conduct, or participate in existing global health disparities research. Projects varied in content and populations. For example, one student examined health care needs of commercial sex workers in Chile, while another looked at disparities in cardiovascular health in Australia. Upon return, students participated in a 1-week seminar where they shared their experiences with one another, presented their research and discussed opportunities for graduate studies. Various strategies were used to evaluate the program. A pre/post- test survey design was used to assess the impact the program had on professional development. Focus groups with students were also completed to obtain additional feedback. Preliminary findings indicated that double the number of students intended to pursue a PhD after having completed the program than prior to their participation. Student reported multiple benefits from the program that spanned across research competencies, personal development and transcultural experiences. The MHIRT appears to be a promising approach to attract undergraduate minority students into research careers.