Curriculum

The National Clinician Scholars Program (NCSP) at Yale University, supported by Yale School of Medicine and Yale School of Nursing, prepares nurse and physician researchers to become leaders in healthcare. The program emphasizes rigorous training, innovative research, and strong partnerships with communities to address the most pressing health issues.

1. Academic Training

• Health Policy and Management: Scholars engage in coursework covering health policy, management, and economics to understand the complexities of healthcare systems.
• Biostatistics and Research Methods: Training in advanced biostatistics and qualitative methods equips scholars with the tools needed for high-quality research.
• Health Equity and Social Determinants of Health: Focused studies on health disparities and the social factors affecting health outcomes.

2. Research and Mentorship

• Individualized Research Projects: Scholars design and conduct their own research projects, receiving guidance from experienced faculty mentors.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Opportunities to work with peers across various disciplines, fostering a collaborative research environment.
• Community Engagement: Emphasis on developing research that benefits and involves local communities, ensuring real-world impact.

3. Professional Development

• Leadership Training: Courses and workshops aimed at developing leadership skills necessary for advancing in academic and clinical settings.
• Presentation and Writing Skills: Training to enhance scholars' abilities to communicate their research effectively through publications and presentations.
• Career Guidance: Ongoing support for career development, including job search strategies and networking opportunities.

YSM and YSN provides a vibrant learning environment with access to renowned faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and a wealth of resources to support scholars' growth. The program fosters a culture of innovation and excellence, encouraging scholars to push boundaries and drive change in healthcare.

YSM and YSN provides a vibrant learning environment with access to renowned faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and a wealth of resources to support scholars' growth. The program fosters a culture of innovation and excellence, encouraging scholars to push boundaries and drive change in healthcare.

For more information about the National Clinician Scholars Program, please visit our website or contact us at ncsp@yale.edu.

The Yale National Clinician Scholars Program (NCSP) is designed to equip scholars with translational research skills, enabling them to drive positive changes in healthcare for individuals, organizations, and communities. The curriculum is uniquely structured for NCSP Scholars, focusing on four primary areas of study, supplemented with seminars and skill-building courses. Classes are conducted in small groups to foster interaction between scholars, faculty, and guest speakers. Upon successfully completing the curriculum and a thesis requirement, scholars may opt to receive a Master of Health Sciences (MHS) degree from Yale University.

Biostatistics This comprehensive course cultivates expertise in both theoretical concepts and practical applications of biostatistics. Participants will develop skills needed for statistical analyses of diverse data sets and research studies, including:

• Descriptive statistics
• Bivariate comparisons
• Multivariable analyses (linear and logistic regression, survival analysis)
• Specialized topics (hierarchical modeling, Poisson regression, repeated measures, time series analyses, and more)

By the end of the course, participants will be adept at conducting bivariate and multivariable statistical analyses and critiquing and interpreting statistical methods commonly used in medical literature.

Clinical and Health Services Research Methods This research methodologies course incorporates both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Participants learn to design diverse clinical and health services research studies, covering study design, sampling, data collection, and analysis. The course structure is divided into seasonal focuses:

• Summer Sessions: Intensive training in quantitative methods and clinical epidemiology.
• Fall Sessions: Comprehensive overview of qualitative research concepts and methods. Topics include:
• Theoretical and practical methods for qualitative research in public health, nursing, and medicine
• Epistemological, philosophical, and ethical considerations in qualitative research
• Practical strategies for conducting qualitative research (designs, mixed methods, sampling, rigor, data coding and analysis, data saturation, ethical considerations)
• Writing for publication, grants, and other products
• Class Structure:
• Measurements of disease frequency and association
• Study design (randomized and non-randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, cross-sectional studies, and ecologic studies)
• Screening principles, reliability and validity, bias, confounding, and effect modification
• Content Sessions: Ten sessions covering principles and practices in qualitative approaches, including strategies for designing and conducting qualitative research, and an overview of mixed methods approaches. Hands-on applications of qualitative techniques and NVivo software will also be included. Scholars will present a qualitative research proposal in the concluding session.
• NVivo Sessions: An introductory session in the fall semester on the use of NVivo software for qualitative research, followed by advanced sessions in the winter/spring based on interest.

Principles of Health Policy and Management (HPHE) This course explores core principles of health policy and management, focusing on the US healthcare system. Participants will gain insights into:

• Healthcare financing, policy development, and analysis
• Fundamentals of health economics and US healthcare delivery and financing
• Key issues in managing health systems
• The clinician-researcher’s role in policy development at various levels

Foundations in Community Engaged Research This course orients participants to the theoretical components and practical skills required to conduct community-engaged research. Crafted as a gateway to theoretical insights and practical skills in patient-centered care research and implementation science, participants navigate multidisciplinary course content. Key topics include:

• Social determinants of health and their influence on populations
• Collaborative ties with community stakeholders
• Participatory data analysis techniques
• Linking health research with community development and support

The course focuses on program management skills, evaluation designs, and stakeholder-engaged research principles. Students are exposed to:

• Community-engaged project design
• Theoretical orientations to working with community leaders and impacted populations
• Methodologies, instrument design, and ethical issues in community-based participatory research
• Evaluation and dissemination skills

Class Structure:

• Class Meetings: The course is intended for 16-20 students and meets weekly from July to mid-August, with approximately 5 additional sessions in the fall. Some community sessions are optional and designated as such on the syllabus. The course includes in-class discussions, interactive activities, and community meetings and walking tours.
• Course Exercises: Using case exercises, the course explores topics and techniques relevant to community-engaged research, such as mapping parties interested in research projects and outlining partnership agreements. Exercises develop skills in defining community-engaged research, considering medical research outcomes at the population level, understanding community perspectives in research questions and interventions, and implementing community-engaged research plans.

Career Development Essential Skills Designed to equip scholars with essential skills for career success, this course includes:

• Interactive seminars, workshops, and hands-on activities
• Discussions, case studies, role-playing exercises, and practical assignments
• Insights from expert guest speakers on mentorship, research, productivity, and job search strategies

By the end of the course, participants will have a deeper understanding of mentorship principles, enhanced research capabilities, improved productivity habits, and a strategic approach to navigating the job search effectively.

Seminars in Health Policy and Delivery (SHPD) Scholars will meet with prominent health policy leaders from various sectors, gaining valuable insights into the healthcare industry.

Ideas, Presentations, Analyses, and Dissemination Seminar (IPAD) This seminar series includes writing workshops led by prominent physician writers. Scholars will learn to write effectively for scientific, lay, and regulatory audiences, with sessions on various types of writing and feedback from instructors.

Group Mentor Breakfasts Scholars will have informal conversations with physician leaders, faculty, and alumni about research interests and career paths.

Healthcare Leadership Externship Scholars can shadow local health leaders in various settings.

Summer Health Policy Internship Scholars can spend 4-8 weeks at an organization involved in health policy.

Teaching Opportunities Scholars can teach at the Schools of Medicine and/or Public Health.