Clinical Research Training in Schizophrenia and Other Psychoses

Abstract This clinical research training program emphasizes developing research scientists who focus on schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. It particularly emphasizes training in cognitive and affective deficits in psychotic disorders, influences on clinical and functional outcomes, and intervention research to improve clinical and functional outcomes. Training will include core didactic coursework and direct experiences in designing and conducting clinical research with patients with psychotic illnesses, including randomized clinical trials to evaluate efficacy of interventions and research into mechanisms of action of interventions. Direct mentoring by clinical investigators and other scientists and statisticians is a key feature of this program, with the focus being on development and implementation of clinical research with individuals with schizophrenia, severe mood disorders, and other psychotic disorders and those at risk for such disorders. This postdoctoral training program will focus on individuals with Ph.D. in clinical psychology and those with an M.D. followed by a psychiatry residency. In addition, individuals with a Ph.D. in cognitive or affective neuroscience and similar fields who focus on research on psychotic disorders will be welcomed. The training program includes (1) extensive hands-on training in the development and implementation of clinical research on cognitive and affective factors in outcomes and on interventions to improve clinical and functional outcomes, (2) a weekly Research Seminar on the Psychoses taught jointly by clinical researchers and other scientists focused on research methods, recent research results, and grant preparation issues, (3) a set of core courses in research design, statistics, and implementation of clinical trials and other clinical research, (4) other coursework, workshops, and laboratory training tailored to individual research interests, (5) an intensive career development retreat and other career development sessions, and (6) training to enhance the responsible conduct and reproducibility of research. The training will be closely interfaced with many clinical research opportunities that allow access to research participants with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.