MT-DIRC: 2013-2018

Project Dates: 2013-2018

Mentored Training for Dissemination and Implementation Research in Cancer (MT-DIRC) is a training program for cancer control researchers who are seeking to gain better training in the field of dissemination and implementations science research.

The overall goal for the training program is to develop, provide and assess the first of its kind, Mentored Training for Dissemination and Implementation Research in Cancer (MT-DIRC) at Washington University in St. Louis. This training program is open post-doctoral scholars (PhDs, MDs and other doctorate level degrees)—primarily individuals in early career but also a smaller number of mid-career scholars who want to pursue D&I research in cancer.

For more information, visit the project website: mtdirc.org

Project Goals:

  • Develop and refine a set of competencies and model curriculum in D&I research, including those specific to D&I research on cancer disparities
  • Conduct a summer training program
  • Conduct ongoing, evidence-informed mentoring
  • Evaluate all training program components and track Fellows’ career development
  • Actively disseminate program components for adoption by other individuals and institutions

Implications for Research and Practice:

This NIH R25 education program is uniquely positioned to build capacity in D&I research in cancer prevention and control. The program applies state-of-the-art training methods to build capacity in post-doctoral researchers. This program is significant because it addresses cancer risk factors and populations with high burden, where intervention knowledge on evidence-based programs and policies (EBPPs) is substantial, yet not commonly applied, and where a large reduction in cancer mortality is feasible if this knowledge were more widely taken up into practice and policy. This program is the first training program of its kind that develops a specific set of competencies, engages diverse partners, and will disseminate the training program widely.

Our results impact the field by enhancing abilities to:

  1. conduct high-quality D&I research
  2. substantially speed up the translation of cancer prevention and control knowledge into practice and policy
  3. lead efforts to train the next generation of D&I researcher

Project Contact:

Rebekah Jacob: rebekahjacob@wustl.edu

Project Staff:

Ross C. Brownson, PhD; Graham A. Colditz, MD, DrPH; Maureen J. Dobbins, PhD; Matthew W. Kreuter, PhD, MPH; Maggie Padek, MPH, MSW; Christine Pfund, PhD; Enola Proctor, PhD; Anne Sales, PhD, RN; Karen Emmons, PhD; Kurt Stange, MD, PhD; Jon Kerner, PhD; David Chambers, D.Phil;

Research Assistants: Emily Weno

Project Partners:

Veterans Administration; Cancer Research Network

 Funding Source:

National Cancer Institute: 1 R25 CA171994-01A1

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Related Resources can be found here.