Advancing Clinical Research Training within Addiction Residency Programs

NIH RePORTER · NIH · R25 · $373,451 · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY Fostering the next generation of multidisciplinary, clinician investigators in the field of addiction is critical for preventing and addressing the ongoing impact of substance use disorders in the United States. Addiction Medicine and Addiction Psychiatry physicians with clinical addiction expertise are a critical part of those investigators needed to pursue important clinically-focused addiction research questions. In this renewal application and building on our successes over the past 11 years, while responding to evolving needs in the field, the Research in Addiction Medicine Scholars (RAMS) Program seeks to advance its mission to strengthen the next generation of addiction physician researchers and leaders. Drawing from the North American-based pool of fellows training in Addiction Medicine (n=96 programs) and Addiction Psychiatry (n=54 programs) and by supporting local mentorship, the RAMS Program will foster development of addiction-trained clinician investigators and leaders. The RAMS leadership team in conjunction with the RAMS National Advisory Committee (NAC), will provide the following: a combination of monthly webinars; leadership development training; a multi-pronged diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) curriculum; harm reduction training; and two annual intensive, in-person retreats (Fall retreat and Spring retreat [embedded in the College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD) national annual meeting]). Together, the RAMS team and infrastructure will achieve the following Specific Aims: 1) Provide clinical research training over 2 years to 5 RAM Scholars (Addiction Medicine and Addiction Psychiatry fellows), recruited annually, through retreats, webinars, and research-in-progress sessions. 2) Augment mentoring and networking of the RAM Scholars regarding research projects and career trajectory, by establishing rigorous mentorship relationships between Scholars and nationally recognized researchers (RAMS NAC) and through interactions between Scholars, RAMS alum, and RAMS core faculty. 3) Provide leadership training for the RAM Scholars, by introducing physicians to the concepts and skills necessary for leading organizations. 4) Promote a culture that fosters diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging among and for RAM Scholars and their institutional mentors which stimulates research focused on addressing the impact of racial marginalization and its impact on substance use and related outcomes. The RAMS Program is integrating a new multi-pronged curriculum devoted to promoting research and clinical interventions to undo systems of bias and marginalization as related to substance use. The RAMS Program will continue to be of high impact by accelerating the progress of its important goal of developing the next generation of addiction physician researchers to advance the knowledge base to provide better care for individuals with, and at risk for, substance use disorders.

Key facts

NIH application ID
10904312
Project number
2R25DA033211-11A1
Recipient
BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER
Principal Investigator
Patrick O'Connor
Activity code
R25
Funding institute
NIH
Fiscal year
2024
Award amount
$373,451
Award type
2
Project period
2012-04-01 → 2029-02-28