Summer Program in Outcomes Research Training

SPORT provides an intensive introduction to outcomes research for fellows and junior faculty and includes coursework in health services research, clinical epidemiology, research methods, and biostatistics, as well as the opportunity to participate in a workshop designed to help participants develop a research proposal that could form the basis of an NIH or other career development award. A number of trainees have used SPORT as a way to jumpstart a master’s degree in Health Studies of Public Policy, but SPORT can also function as a standalone program. All SPORT participants attend the CTSA’s Outcomes Research Workshop (ORW) held weekly through this summer program, and are welcome to attend ORW throughout the academic year.

SPORT will run this year from July 8 – August 23 and will require a full-time commitment during that period.

The online application is here.  It requires:

  1. Your CV
  2. A brief personal statement, limited to one page, indicating how you expect to benefit from SPORT and verifying your commitment to attend all SPORT functions. 
  3. A letter of support from your department chair or section chief indicating your availability to attend all SPORT functions and describing fee arrangements, if applicable.

SPORT is sponsored by the Departments of Medicine and Surgery with additional funding from the Biological Sciences Division and support from the Center for Health and the Social Sciences (CHeSS) - headed by Director David Meltzer. The standard fee for SPORT is $3000. Students currently enrolled in a University of Chicago graduate program may be able to participate in SPORT without additional charge beyond tuition and fees by registering for the courses as part of their graduate program.

Applications are due by March 29, 2013. We will make admissions decisions on a rolling basis and as we receive applications to facilitate clinical summer schedule planning.

Should you have any questions about the program, feel free to contact Coleman Evans at cevans@bsd.uchicago.edu or Ellen Cohen at cohen@uchicago.edu.

Courses

Fundamentals of Health Services Research—PPHA 47900

This course provides an introduction to the fundamentals of health services research (HSR). The course emphasizes the social scientific foundations of health services research and the methods needed for the practical application of these theoretical constructs to empirically relevant research. These theoretical and empirical tools are illustrated with applications relevant to important problems in health care, including 1) healthcare quality, 2) health disparities, 3) healthcare technology assessment, and 4) health care systems and markets. Methodological topics include techniques for data collection and analysis including: outcomes measures, survey methods, large data set research, population-based study design, community based participatory research, research in clinical settings, qualitative methods, and cost-effectiveness analysis.

This course meets daily.

Introduction to Biostatistics— HSTD 32100

An introduction to the basic concepts of statistics as applied to the biomedical sciences and public health. Emphasis on the use and interpretation of statistical tools for data analysis. Topics covered include: descriptive statistics, probability and sampling, methods of statistical inference, and introduction to linear and logistic regression.

This course meets three times per week.

Clinical Epidemiology—HSTD 30700

An introduction to the basic principles of epidemiologic study design, interpretation and analysis, with a focus on clinical applications. The course includes lectures and discussions based on critical appraisal of significant research articles.

This course meets twice weekly.

Workshops

STATA Computer Workshop

As a supplement to the Biostatistics class, participants receive instruction on using statistical software (STATA) in data analysis.

This workshop meets weekly.

Research Proposal Development Workshop

The research proposal development workshop provides fellows with an opportunity for small group mentorship in the development of a research proposal in their area of interest. The workshop will focus on moving from a broad research interest to a focused research question, including hypothesis generation and the development of well-framed specific aims. Enrollees will have an opportunity to develop their ideas with and receive feedback from colleagues as they prepare to present to a larger group through the Outcomes Research Workshop or other seminar series.

This workshop meets weekly.

Outcomes Research Workshop (ORW)

The Outcomes Research Workshop offers trainees and faculty interested in outcomes research an opportunity to receive supportive and constructive feedback from colleagues representing a wide range of disciplinary perspectives.

The ORW is held weekly throughout the year so that trainees can continue to develop their work after the summer program is complete.