# Mitigating Reproductive Health Disparities in Young Women of Color: Remote Learning to Foster Cultural Responsiveness in Medical Residents

> **NIH NIH K23** · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER · 2022 · $143,056

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Black and Latina girls (young women of color) are heavily burdened by poor reproductive health outcomes1-2.
These health inequities are perpetuated, in part, by provider-level factors operative in healthcare disparities (i.e.,
clinical uncertainty and poor communication)3. These factors highlight inadequate medical training. Consistent
with NIMHD’s Research Priorities in Clinical and Health Services Research, specifically cultural competence and
patient-clinician communication4, the current project aims to improve health care quality for young women of
color by targeting this training gap. The study will develop an mLearning course and utilize simulation-based
assessment to facilitate training and assessment in effective and high-quality reproductive healthcare for young
women of color. Candidate. I am a health services researcher with a background in prevention science for health
risk behaviors with significant racial and ethnic disparities. I am applying for a five-year K23 Career Development
Award to obtain training, mentorship, and research experience to become an expert (capable of obtaining R01
level funding) in health and healthcare equity for minoritized pediatric populations, in particular young women of
color. Mentoring. I have put together an exceptional mentoring team with extensive and complementary
expertise consistent with the study’s aims and my career development objectives. Dr. Sheana Bull is the Primary
mentor renowned for her work in digital health and digital education. My co-mentorship includes: Dr. Christina
Studts (dissemination and implementation science in pediatric populations), Dr. Evelinn Borrayo (using mixed-
methods, health disparities, and health services), Dr. Jeffery Barsuk (medical education and simulation-based
mastery learning), and Dr. Christopher Houck (adolescent reproductive health interventions). Research. The
aims of the proposed project are to (1) integrate a synthesis of the literature, formative stake-holder data, and
an expert panel to guide the development of an mLearning prototype; (2) conduct iterative rounds of cognitive
interviews with residents, attendings, and program directors using a formative rapid cycle to refine and finalize
the mLearning course; and (3) evaluate preliminary effectiveness of the mLearning course via a small scale
randomized control trial in a sample of residents who receive the mLearning course versus a waitlist control.
Training. Specific training in the context of health and healthcare disparities will include: the development of
effective evidence-based digital health tools, dissemination and implementation strategies (including hybrid
research designs), advanced mixed-methods skills, and simulation-based medical education. This training will
be achieved through intensive mentored training, participation in mentored research and primary research,
directed readings, coursework, webinars, and training institutes. Guided by my excellent mentorship...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10462659
- **Project number:** 5K23MD016433-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
- **Principal Investigator:** Sneha Thamotharan
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $143,056
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-08-05 → 2023-10-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10462659

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10462659, Mitigating Reproductive Health Disparities in Young Women of Color: Remote Learning to Foster Cultural Responsiveness in Medical Residents (5K23MD016433-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10462659. Licensed CC0.

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