The Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Disease Epidemiology and Outcomes Training Program at the University of North Carolina

PROJECT SUMMARY The goal of the Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Disease (RMD) Epidemiology and Outcomes Training Program at the University of North Carolina is to provide state-of-the-art resources and a rich environment to train independent interdisciplinary researchers who will improve our understanding of the magnitude, etiology, impact, and treatment of RMDs, and who will assume leadership roles in RMD epidemiology and outcomes research. An estimated 1 billion prevalent cases and over one hundred thousand deaths were attributed to RMDs in 2017, which combined with the pending shortage of rheumatologists underscores the need for trained researchers to advance RMD epidemiology and outcomes research now and into the future. We propose to establish a robust training program in the University of North Carolina Department of Medicine’s Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology (RAI) and the Thurston Arthritis Research Center (TARC) focused on epidemiology and outcomes research in RMDs to address the critical need for an enhanced interprofessional workforce trained to understand the etiology and clinical management of RMDs. This will directly address the objective of the NRSA T32 program to enhance research training opportunities for trainees interested in biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research relevant to the NIH mission. The UNC RMD Epidemiology and Outcomes Training Program will include pre- and postdoctoral trainees from diverse backgrounds. It will include the following features: Clear core methodologic and content- related competencies to be met by trainees, and supported by the existing infrastructure at UNC and TARC, including our NIAMS-funded Core Center for Clinical Research; linkages to formal training programs in epidemiologic methods and biostatistics (from courses to full degree-granting programs) to provide a strong foundation in research design and analytic techniques, including those through the North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute; emphasis on design, execution, analysis, and publication of research projects to enhance the ability of the trainee to conceptualize and think through research problems with increasing independence; experienced and dedicated mentors to guide the developing investigator. We will emphasize rigor and reproducibility, data science principles, and the responsible conduct of research in an inclusive and supportive training program. The program will benefit from strong leadership, outstanding faculty from Schools and Departments across the university, and the strong research infrastructure of RAI, TARC, and UNC.