A Framework for Training Transdisciplinary Scholars in Cancer Prevention and Control. 2015

Aimee S James, and Sarah Gehlert, and Deborah J Bowen, and Graham A Colditz
Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University in Saint Louis, 660 So. Euclid Ave, Box 8100, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA. jamesai@wudosis.wustl.edu.

Traditionally, postdoctoral training programs largely have focused efforts within a single discipline or closely related fields. Yet, addressing the complex questions around cancer prevention and control increasingly requires the ability to work and communicate across disciplines in order to gain a perspective that encompasses the multilevel and multifaceted issues involved with this public health issue. To address this complexity, a transdisciplinary training program was implemented to cultivate the professional and scientific development of the postdoctoral fellows in Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine's Division of Public Health Sciences and NCI-funded centers (Community Networks Program Center and Transdisciplinary Research in Energetics in Cancer Center). Fellows are matched with primary mentors and assemble a multidisciplinary mentoring team. Structured programs support the transition of fellows from disciplinary trainees to independent transdisciplinary scholars and provide exposure to multiple disciplines. This article describes the training program, challenges encountered in implementation, solutions to those problems, and the metrics employed to evaluate the program's success. The goal of the program is to train emerging investigators in the conceptual bases, language, and practices that underlie a transdisciplinary perspective on cancer prevention and control research, to create an infrastructure for continued cross-discipline dialogue and collaboration, and to develop disseminable strategies for such training.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008495 Medical Oncology A subspecialty of internal medicine concerned with the study of neoplasms. Oncology, Medical,Clinical Oncology,Oncology, Clinical
D009369 Neoplasms New abnormal growth of tissue. Malignant neoplasms show a greater degree of anaplasia and have the properties of invasion and metastasis, compared to benign neoplasms. Benign Neoplasm,Cancer,Malignant Neoplasm,Tumor,Tumors,Benign Neoplasms,Malignancy,Malignant Neoplasms,Neoplasia,Neoplasm,Neoplasms, Benign,Cancers,Malignancies,Neoplasias,Neoplasm, Benign,Neoplasm, Malignant,Neoplasms, Malignant
D011634 Public Health Branch of medicine concerned with the prevention and control of disease and disability, and the promotion of physical and mental health of the population on the international, national, state, or municipal level. Community Health,Environment, Preventive Medicine & Public Health,Environment, Preventive Medicine and Public Health,Health, Community,Health, Public
D012108 Research Personnel Those individuals engaged in research. Clinical Investigator,Clinical Investigators,Researchers,Investigator, Clinical,Investigators,Investigators, Clinical,Survey Personnel,Investigator,Personnel, Research,Personnel, Survey,Researcher
D003299 Cooperative Behavior The interaction of two or more persons or organizations directed toward a common goal which is mutually beneficial. An act or instance of working or acting together for a common purpose or benefit, i.e., joint action. (From Random House Dictionary Unabridged, 2d ed) Compliant Behavior,Behavior, Compliant,Behavior, Cooperative,Compliant Behaviors,Cooperative Behaviors
D004496 Education, Continuing Educational programs designed to inform individuals of recent advances in their particular field of interest. They do not lead to any formal advanced standing. Continuous Learning,Life-Long Learning,Lifelong Learning,Continuing Education,Learning, Continuous,Learning, Life-Long,Learning, Lifelong,Learnings, Life-Long,Life Long Learning,Life-Long Learnings
D005257 Fellowships and Scholarships Stipends or grants-in-aid granted by foundations or institutions to individuals for study. Scholarships,Fellowships,Fellowship,Scholarship,Scholarships and Fellowships
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013192 Staff Development The process by which the employer promotes staff performance and efficiency consistent with management goals and objectives. Human Resources Development,Cross-Training, Employee,Cross Training, Employee,Development, Human Resources,Development, Staff,Employee Cross-Training,Resources Development, Human
D014146 Training Support Financial support for training including both student stipends and loans and training grants to institutions. Grants and Subsidies, Educational,Student Loans,Subsidies, Educational,Educational Grants,Educational Grants and Subsidies,Educational Subsidies,Grants, Educational,Traineeships,Educational Grant,Educational Subsidy,Grant, Educational,Loan, Student,Loans, Student,Student Loan,Subsidy, Educational,Support, Training,Supports, Training,Traineeship,Training Supports

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