title: Workforce development for comparative effectiveness research: training programs funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We conducted a midstream assessment of the comparative effectiveness research (CER) training programs funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) by examining program characteristics, planned curriculum development activities and core competencies.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined all 43 training projects funded by the US$46 million ARRA CER investment, collecting data from key informant discussions and a technical expert panel.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of projects leveraged institutional resources to provide an individualized combination of didactic and experiential learning supported by strong mentorship. Core competencies included skills in statistical modeling, evidence synthesis (systematic reviews and meta-analysis) and general research design skills.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ARRA-supported CER training programs enhanced workforce capacity by developing curricula and preparing CER researchers to apply emerging methods and utilize new CER infrastructure.
authors.affiliation: Mathematica Policy Research, Princeton, NJ 08543-2393, USA.
authors.forename: Kristin L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Geonnotti
authors.forename: Eugene C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Rich
authors.forename: Dominick
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Esposito
mesh_terms: D057171:American Recovery and Reinvestment Act; D057186:Comparative Effectiveness Research; D003479:Curriculum; D004517:Education, Professional / Q000379:methods*; D008611:Mentors; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000592:standards*; D012108:Research Personnel / Q000193:education*; D013192:Staff Development / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States
keywords: comparative effectiveness research; core competencies; curriculum development; human and scientific capital; workforce development