title: Training researchers in cancer prevention and control: a description and evaluation of NCI's Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program.
abstract: NCI's Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program recently initiated a continuing evaluation of the fellows' demographics, fellows' accomplishments in the program, fellow and preceptor expectations and satisfaction, program strengths and weaknesses, current employment for former fellows, and ex-fellows' perceptions of program training. Evaluation shows that the program attracts quality applicants (including minorities and females) nationwide from many disciplines. The program successfully educates about cancer prevention and provides a positive preceptor experience with publication opportunities. Areas for improvement are data access, stipend, office space, job assistance, and networking. Recommendations for other programs include committed enthusiastic staff; adequate budget, space, and support; a formal learning experience in public health fundamentals, research methods, and cancer prevention; individual mentored research within a productive scientific program; aggressive recruitment; competitive admissions policy; defined objectives for fellows; and ongoing formal program evaluation.
authors.affiliation: National Cancer Institute, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Bethesda, MD 20892.
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Husten
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Weed
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Kaluzny
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D003479:Curriculum; D003710:Demography; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000193:education*; D009316:National Institutes of Health (U.S.); D009369:Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011231:Preceptorship; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011635:Public Health Administration / Q000193:education; D012106:Research / Q000193:education*; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods; D014481:United States