Vanderbilt Interdisciplinary Hospital-Based Systems of Care Research and Training ProgrAm (VISTA)

PROJECT SUMMARY The fields of emergency medicine and hospital medicine deliver rapid diagnosis, treatment, and transitional care for the most common acute heart, lung, and blood disorders in the hospital setting. Despite being the foundation of hospital-based care, these fields are underrepresented in scientific career development efforts.

These are complex conditions with systemic challenges requiring interdisciplinary approaches to engage patients and health system stakeholders, develop new knowledge, and translate this knowledge into practice. Building on Vanderbilt’s strong infrastructure and track record of training research fellows, we propose the

Vanderbilt Interdisciplinary Hospital-based Systems of Care Research Training ProgrAm (VISTA). This two-year training program will train three postdoctoral investigators per year, with a focus on patient-oriented and health systems research for acute heart, lung, or blood disorders in the hospital setting. The program is

rooted in the model of learning health systems, which are designed to “generate and apply the best evidence for the collaborative healthcare choices of each patient and provider, drive the process of discovery as a natural outgrowth of patient care, and ensure innovation, quality, safety, and value in healthcare.”

We will provide junior investigators with role models and forums that demonstrate the intellectual productivity and practical benefits of multidisciplinary research in advancing human health. We endorse a team-based approach to filling knowledge gaps and translating discoveries into application. A robust and diverse pool of

talented applicants is available, along with formidable research programs in emergency medicine and hospital medicine. We also have a thriving implementation science program; well-positioned Departments of Biomedical Informatics, Biostatistics, and Health Policy; expertise in stakeholder engagement; and diverse

partners, including Meharry Medical College and Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. VISTA trainees will engage with faculty mentors with sustained federal funding and extensive mentoring track records. Each trainee will be guided by an individualized multidisciplinary team of experienced mentors with

clinical expertise in hospital-based care of heart, lung, and blood disorders and methodological expertise in discovery, evidence translation, data science, policy and epidemiology, and operations research, with a focus on health equity. We will provide 1) advanced didactics, including degree program or focused coursework

options; 2) mentorship to prepare trainees for K-level scholarship; and 3) experiential learning through research. Trainees will be supported by broad institutional resources for training and development, including multidisciplinary Work in Progress sessions, clinical and translational research seminars, career development

seminars, and peer-mentoring activities. Taken together, these resources provide an optimal environment for developing the next generation of scientists to lead hospital-based research in NHLBI-priority areas.