Research Methods in Supportive Oncology (RMSO)

Course description

This NCI-funded intensive 6-day workshop will provide an overview of fundamental methods, such as study designs, qualitative and survey methods, and approaches to data analysis in supportive oncology research. Over the course of the workshop, participants will write a complete study protocol under the direct mentorship of expert faculty in the field of supportive oncology. Participants will continue to receive assistance after the workshop from their workshop mentors to help in the implementation of their studies at their home institutions.

Learning objectives

Essential workshop topics include: creation of conceptual models, supportive care clinical trials, development of psychosocial interventions, decision science, stakeholder engagement, web-based research, study of patient-provider communication, qualitative and survey methods, and data analysis.

Structure

The course consists of:

• Didactics on a broad array of essential topics including behavioral theories and conceptual models, intervention development, qualitative and quantitative methods, instrument selection, stakeholder engagement, and special human subject considerations.
• Mentored experience of writing your own full research protocol in small groups. You will submit an abstract for a proposed study and leave the workshop with a protocol.

Course leadership

William Pirl, MD, MPH and Jennifer Temel, MD will co-chair the workshop with a multidisciplinary team of faculty including: Joseph Greer, PhD; Elyse Park, MD, MPH; Lisa Wood, Phd; James Tulsky, MD; Areej El-Jawahri, MD; Joanne Wolfe, MD, MPH and others.

Who should attend?

Physicians, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and other health researchers who are early-stage researchers are eligible to attend. Participants must have a doctoral degree.

This year, we will have a special program for graduate students from under-represented minority groups who are currently in doctoral programs. We will be accepting a small number of students into this program. Unfortunately, we are not able to accept doctoral students outside of this program.

Course dates and location

Sunday, January 22 - Friday, January, 27, 2023

The course will be offered virtually again this year, with an option to attend some sessions in Boston. A stipend will be available for travel and lodging. 

Tuition

The week-long course is free of charge. 

Applications

Application Window Opens: June 6, 2022 
Application Window Closes: September 7, 2022 
Application Decisions Emailed: Early October 

If you have any questions, please contact us at pallcare@partners.org