Training Component

PROJECT SUMMARY The overall goal of the MARCH Training Component is to enhance knowledge and skills for investigators and community partners to conduct research and improve care for pregnant women to reduce the risk of pregnancy-associated mortality and morbidity in rural and American Indian communities. The training component activities align with the thematic focus of MARCH – improving access and accessibility of care and enhancing the understanding of key barriers and facilitators for change. To that end, the training activities will engage and support community partners and MARCH investigators by enhancing knowledge about the influence of the sociocultural, economic, and regulatory landscape on healthcare access for rural pregnant and postnatal women. The training component will provide training on two broad overarching areas that apply across all research projects and community partners - enhancing efforts to improve cultural competency and research literacy for investigators and community partners. Additionally, training to enhance knowledge and skills related to specific project areas will be provided. The provision of continued professional development is an important component of training activities for research staff. Finally, the training component will focus on creating a pipeline of researchers committed to a research career in maternal health through structured mentorship, skill development, and community engagement experiences derived from long-standing community partnerships. Building community relationships can take a long time. MARCH will allow early-stage investigators and students to use this platform to springboard their own relationships and research programs.