2 Telephone Interview Guide

Interview Guide for 21^st Century Training in Cancer Epidemiology

OMB No.: 0925-0046

Expiration Date: 05/31/2016

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 60 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to: NIH, Project Clearance Branch, 6705 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7974, Bethesda, MD 20892-7974, ATTN: PRA (0925-0046). Do not return the completed form to this address.

Hello, is this Dr. _______? My name is __________________, and I’m a program director from the National Cancer Institute. I will be conducting this interview. We greatly appreciate your willingness to answer a few questions about the cancer epidemiology training curriculum at your institute.. We appreciate your candidness.

You have been selected because you are a leading authority on pre-doctoral and post-doctoral training in cancer epidemiology at [insert institute name]]. I want to let you know that your participation is voluntary. We expect our discussion to take about 60 minutes. Do you wish to proceed at this time?

[If Yes] Good. We realize that your time is valuable, so let’s get started.

[If No] Would you like to schedule another time for this discussion? (Try to schedule another time and thank the respondent for his or her willingness to participate.)

1. With respect to collaboration and team science in epidemiologic research

   1. Is there a specific emphasis (e.g. formal coursework or seminars) on this area in your curriculum for your predoctoral students?

      1. If yes, please describe.

2. Is there a specific emphasis (e.g. formal coursework or seminars) on this area for your postdoctoral fellows?

   1. If yes, please describe.

3. Do you have other types of training (journal clubs or working groups) that supplement coursework to foster training or exposures in this area?

   1. If yes, please describe.

4. Are there any collaborative training opportunities that exist, either formal or informal, with other departments, divisions, schools (e.g., school of medicine or nursing) and/or cancer centers that promote training or exposure in this area?

   1. If yes, please describe.

2. With respect to integration of new methods and technologies (e.g., ‘omics, mobile, geospatial) into epidemiology study design and analysis

1. Is there a specific emphasis (e.g., formal coursework or seminars) on this area in your curriculum for your predoctoral students?

   1. If yes, please describe.

2. Is there a specific emphasis (e.g., formal coursework or seminars) on this area for your postdoctoral fellows?

   1. If yes, please describe.

3. Do you have other types of training (e.g., journal clubs or working groups) that supplement coursework to foster training or exposures in this area?

   1. If yes, please describe.

4. Are there any collaborative training opportunities that exist, either formal or informal, with other departments, divisions, schools (e.g., school of medicine or nursing) or cancer centers that promote training or exposure in this area?

   1. If yes, please describe.

3. With respect to multi-level approach to epidemiologic research and intervention (e.g., integration of biological, behavioral, group and macro-social factors)

1. Is there a specific emphasis (e.g. formal coursework or seminars) on this area in your curriculum for your predoctoral students?

   1. If yes, please describe.

2. Is there a specific emphasis (e.g. formal coursework or seminars) in this area for your postdoctoral fellows?

   1. If yes, please describe.

3. Do you have other types of training (e.g., journal clubs or working groups) that supplement coursework to foster training or exposures in this area?

   1. If yes, please describe.

4. Are there any collaborative training opportunities that exist, either formal or informal, with other departments, divisions, schools (e.g., school of medicine or nursing) or cancer centers that promote training or exposure in this area?

   1. If yes, please describe.

4. With respect to application of knowledge integration methods and concepts (management, synthesis, and translation of scientific findings) to inform evidence-based recommendations/policies and to accelerate translation of etiologic findings into public health impact

1. Is there a specific emphasis (e.g. formal coursework or seminars) on these areas in your curriculum for your predoctoral students?

   1. If yes, please describe.

2. Is there a specific emphasis (e.g. formal coursework or seminars) on this area for your postdoctoral fellows?

   1. If yes, please describe.

3. Do you have other types of training (e.g., journal clubs or working groups) that supplement coursework to foster training or exposures in this area?

   1. If yes, please describe.

4. Are there any collaborative training opportunities that exist, either formal or informal, with other departments, divisions, schools (e.g., school of medicine or nursing) or cancer centers that promote training or exposure in this area?

   1. If yes, please describe.

5. Thinking 5-10 years into the foreseeable future and considering the items listed below, rank the importance of having formal training (during the pre and/or postdoctoral years) in the following skills and abilities for a successful career in cancer epidemiology. Please rank using a scale of 1 to 4 and using each number only once (1= most important; 4= least important).

1. ____ collaboration and team science

2. ____ adopting novel methods and technologies

3. ____ learning to include multiple levels of scientific evidence (e.g.,

physical/social/structural environment) in analyses and interventions

4. ____ translation of scientific findings between disciplines to make an impact

6. Thinking 5-10 years into the foreseeable future and considering the items listed below, rank the importance of the following assets for a successful career in cancer epidemiology. Please rank using a scale of 1 to 5 and using each number only once (1= most important; 5= least important).

1. ____ communication skills (e.g. grant writing and/or verbal with the media and other scientific and non-scientific)

audiences)

2. ____ leadership skills

3. ____ self-assessment skills as related to career path decision making

4. ____ supportive mentors

5. ____ innovativeness (e.g., extending beyond the traditional approaches)

7. Rank the importance of having formal or informal enrichment for mentors in the following areas. Please rank using a scale of 1 to 3 and using each number only once (1= most important; 3= least important).

1. ____ collaboration and team science

2. ____ incorporation of multiple levels of scientific evidence (e.g. physical/social/structural environment) in analyses and interventions

3. ____ translation of scientific findings between disciplines to make an impact

8. Thinking 5-10 years into the foreseeable future, what other skills, beyond the standard epidemiology and biostatistics curriculum, would you consider vital for a successful career in cancer epidemiology?