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A preliminary needs assessment was conducted among faculty and students of three minority medical and health science institutions comprising the Puerto Rico Clinical and Translational Research Consortium (PRCTRC). The Web-based survey was focused on evaluating the training interests in the clinical and translational research core areas and competencies developed by the National Institutes of Health-Clinical and Translational Sciences Award. The survey was the result of a team effort of three PRCTRC key function's leaderships: Multidisciplinary Training and Career Development, Tracking and Evaluation and Community Research and Engagement. The questionnaire included 45 items distributed across five content areas including demographics, research training needs, training activities coordination and knowledge about the services offered by the PRCTRC. Analysis of research needs includes a sample distribution according to professor, assistant/associate professor and graduate students. The thematic area with highest response rate among the three groups was: 'Identify major clinical/public health problems and relevant translational research questions,' with the competency 'Identify basic and preclinical studies that are potential testable clinical research hypothesis.' These preliminary results will guide the training and professional development of the new generation of clinical and translational researchers needed to eliminate health disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Hispanic women in Puerto Rico share health concerns that affect women generally, and suffer disproportionately from some health concerns relative to non- Hispanic women. The University of Puerto Rico Women's Health Center contributes to the promotion of women's health by developing sustainable preventive services, designing programs according to women's needs, and creating awareness of sex/gender differences in health and disease. Initiatives. A longitudinal breast cancer early detection clinic was developed and a community screening campaign was coordinated. Focus groups were conducted. A course on sex/gender considerations in research was developed and offered. Outcomes. Access to early detection of breast cancer was provided through an annual on-campus clinic and a community screening campaign. A breast cancer support group resulted from focus group recommendations. Health professionals from diverse disciplines participated in a course on sex/gender considerations in research. Conclusions. Synergistic efforts towards eliminating disparities in women's health from an academic perspective provide a valuable tool for the promotion of health among Hispanic women living in Puerto Rico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A preliminary needs assessment was conducted among faculty and students of three minority medical and health science institutions comprising the Puerto Rico Clinical and Translational Research Consortium (PRCTRC). The Web-based survey was focused on evaluating the training interests in the clinical and translational research core areas and competencies developed by the National Institutes of Health-Clinical and Translational Sciences Award. The survey was the result of a team effort of three PRCTRC key function's leaderships: Multidisciplinary Training and Career Development, Tracking and Evaluation and Community Research and Engagement. The questionnaire included 45 items distributed across five content areas including demographics, research training needs, training activities coordination and knowledge about the services offered by the PRCTRC. Analysis of research needs includes a sample distribution according to professor, assistant/associate professor and graduate students. The thematic area with highest response rate among the three groups was: "Identify major clinical/public health problems and relevant translational research questions," with the competency "Identify basic and preclinical studies that are potential testable clinical research hypothesis." These preliminary results will guide the training and professional development of the new generation of clinical and translational researchers needed to eliminate health disparities., (© 2014 The Authors. Clinical and Translational Science Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)