Clinical Research Training and Education Opportunities

The General Clinical Research Center offers opportunities to 4th year medical students, dietetic students, dietetic interns, nurses and other students interested in learning more about clinical research.

For 4th Year Medical Students:

Course Name: Clinical Research PEDI 9010
Course Director:  John J. Mulvihill, MD
                                                                                                       
Course Scheduling: The course introduces students to the General Clinical Research Center and includes an introduction/orientation and direct patient care.  Class time is scheduled for five 8-hour days per week for two or four weeks.  Classes are offered every four weeks in summer/fall and winter semesters.  Attendance is required and grades are awarded by class participation.

Background: The new NIH Roadmap has identified clinical and translational research as a major training initiative for all physician scientists.  Medical schools are encouraged to provide educational opportunities in these environments where clinical research protocols and clinical trials are in progress.  We are fortunate to have a funded GCRC where scientific, medical, logistical and ethical issues are studied.  Our strength is in protocols involving nutrition, minority access and representation in a culturally sensitive manner, and genetic counseling.

Course Description: Clinical abilities of students are enhanced through clinical and translational research.  Students participate in the patient activities of the General Clinical Research Center (GCRC), attend Institutional Review Board (IRB) meetings, participate in curently ongoing protocols, and may design and present a protocol related to areas of research interest.

Course Objectives:
· Construct a clinical research protocol (4-week version).
· Get IRB approval and input for the proposed protocol (4-week version).
· Collect data on existing protocols, including subject contact.
· Recognize focus on patient safety and confidentiality.
· Experience typical patient interactions with history-taking, physical examination and routine tests.

Format: Students will be introduced to translational research and participate in the implementation of a protocol as well as interact with investigators, GCRC staff, and patients on existing protocols experiencing the interdisciplenary nature of modern clinical research.

Student Evaluation: The class will be letter graded with subjective and objective components.  Attendance and participation will constitute the subjective area and evaluation of the protocol and feedback from the IRB will be the objective area.

For further information on this opportunity contact John Mulvihill, MD, GCRC Associate Program Director.

Past Participants