Administrative Core

PROJECT SUMMARY (Administrative Core) Injury contributes to over 30 million emergency department visits annually1 and is the leading cause of death for individuals 1-44 years of age. The burden of these injuries can be reduced through injury control which includes primary prevention of injuries, optimal acute care of the injured patient and rehabilitation of the injured patient2. Yet injury control research is underfunded compared to other leading causes of death3,4 and while some COBRE active awards address basic science of traumatic brain injury, no active COBRE awards focus on injury control5. The mission of the Rhode Island Hospital Injury Control COBRE is to support the development of independent researchers to lead rigorous, innovative injury control research that changes practice and improves health. Research Project Leaders (RPL) will conduct studies utilizing two research cores (Injury Control Digital Innovation Core and Injury Control Research to Practice and Policy Core) with support from strong mentorship, leaving them well positioned to emerge as independently funded injury control research leaders. A pilot project program will support research proposals for future investigators to continue the growth of independent researchers in this important field of research. A strong mentorship program will ensure the success of current RPLs, pilot study investigators and cultivate future injury control researchers. The Administrative Core will provide the administrative, fiscal and scientific infrastructure for the research cores to assure that RPLs achieve research and career development success. This objective will be accomplished through the following specific aims: 1) Enact an organizational structure consisting of an Executive Committee, External Advisory Committee, Internal Advisory Committee and Community Advisory Board that will provide clear direction for the COBRE to succeed in meeting its mission; 2) Develop a mentoring program that supports RPLs in achieving their injury control related research and career goals and their transition to independent investigator status; 3) Implement a pilot project program that aligns with the research core objectives and identifies future RPLs and 4) Partner with an External Advisory Committee to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of all components of the RIH Injury Control COBRE. By supporting the development of junior investigators dedicated to injury control research, the COBRE will increase the number of independent injury control researchers advancing research that will tackle injury control challenges and improve population health. The establishment of this Administrative Core will provide the administrative, fiscal and scientific infrastructure necessary to successfully carryout the mission of the Rhode Island Hospital Injury Control COBRE.