Accomplishments of a Training Support Program for American Indian and Alaska Native Health Researchers

Abstract

The Native American Research Centers for Health program was designed to foster research training and skill development for American Indian/Alaska Native trainees. Increasing the number of American Indian/Alaska Native researchers with advanced training in science is one strategy to help decrease health disparities in native peoples. Our NARCH program provided financial support and mentorship for professional and academic development of American Indian/Alaska Native award recipients. We report on an assessment of our NARCH training program that is directed toward increasing the number of qualified American Indian/Alaska Native researchers.

Northwest Native American Research Center for Health: A Summary of Fellowship Trainees’ Success Over 15 Years of Funding

“…Even though only a small number answered questions about grant submissions, the majority of respondents reported securing funding from federal sources and foundations. This was similar to findings by Zaback et al (2015). Overall, we have had remarkably successful trainees-particularly nonfaculty members-who have secured significant awards from pools of funding aimed at tribal applicants.…”

“…The limitations of our findings include a low response proportion, an emphasis on traditional benchmarks of success (e.g., publications) versus other measures (e.g., advocacy campaigns or policy development), and lack of in-depth trainee and mentor qualitative assessment of the program. The low response was a disappointing result of this survey and a marked difference from the first follow-up survey (Zaback et al, 2015). A great deal of time was spent performing online searches and phone calls in an attempt to secure responses, but even when contact was made, it did not translate into an increase in response rate for reasons that are not entirely clear.…”

“…The financial support and mentorship available to these promising researchers as NW NARCH trainees were major facilitators to their professional development and success. In the first evaluation, Zaback et al (2015) concluded that the financial support provided by the NW NARCH was the “most significant contributing factor of success for the NW NARCH program.” (p. 92). This continues to be true, as evidenced by testimonials of award recipients in our survey.…”

“…A detailed description of the NW NARCH program can be found elsewhere (Zaback et al, 2015). Briefly, the program focuses on two goals: (1) recruiting and supporting aspiring AI/AN researchers from various levels, including postdoctoral students, graduate students, medical students, and tribal employees and (2) training AI/AN health researchers with the skills and practical tools to conduct community health research.…”

“…In all, the NW NARCH has supported the professional advancement of 149 AI/AN graduate students and employees in public health and/or biomedical research. In 2015, our group published results of an independent evaluation of the NW NARCH program from 2001 to 2014 (Zaback et al, 2015). Here, we present follow-up data on NW NARCH trainees through 2018.…”