Building research capacity on the rez: an interinstitution collaborative effort.

Area of Science:

• Public Health Education
• Indigenous Health Research Methods

Background:

• Partnership between Little Priest Tribal College (LPTC) and University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) College of Public Health (COPH).
• Development of a 3-credit hour course titled "Indigenous Research Methods."

Purpose of the Study:

• Enhance LPTC students' comprehension of research methodologies.
• Increase awareness of urban and tribal health concerns impacting American Indian communities.
• Establish a pipeline program to diversify the health-related workforce by broadening health career pathways for tribal college students.

Main Methods:

• Course co-led by LPTC and COPH-UNMC instructors.
• Utilized distance education and on-site presentations with guest lectures from COPH-UNMC faculty.
• Facilitated information transfer and pedagogical exchange between minority-serving institutions and an academic health center.

Main Results:

• Eight out of ten students successfully completed the course.
• The course received positive reception from both LPTC and UNMC.
• Demonstrated a successful model for enhancing undergraduate curriculum through inter-institutional collaboration.

Conclusions:

• The "Indigenous Research Methods" course effectively met its objectives.
• The collaborative model is replicable in diverse educational settings.
• This initiative contributes to diversifying the future health-related workforce.