Research | South Central MIRECC
Overview
Pilot Study Program
MIDAS
Overview
South Central MIRECC investigators have extensive experience in research on rural mental health; telemedicine; mental health service delivery in primary care settings; quality improvement interventions for older Veterans; dissemination and implementation of evidence-based practices; understanding and predicting the development of PTSD; and psycho-educational interventions for Veterans' families. The research core provides funds for research pilot projects and the development of young investigators. Resources intended to support research funding, such as design consultation, statistical support, programming, and other research methods support are provided. For more information, contact the Interim Associate Director for Research, Dr. Jeffrey Pyne, at Jeffrey.Pyne@va.gov or PyneJeffreyM@uams.edu or (501) 257-1083.
Pilot Study Research Program
The SC MIRECC pilot study program stimulates research that can be used to develop clinical policy or programs that improve access, quality and outcomes of mental health and substance abuse treatment services for rural and underserved Veterans. The program is available to researchers in VISN 16 and San Antonio and Dallas, Texas; it is intended to increase both the quantity and quality of federally funded research that will help better understand the experiences of rural/underserved Veterans and to support the development and dissemination of evidence-based practices that can make a real difference in their lives. Key details of the program:
-The maximum duration of projects is 1 year, although it is possible to request a waiver to submit a proposal for a longer period.
-The maximum budget request is $55,000; again, it is possible to request a waiver to submit a proposal with a larger budget.
-The maximum length of the proposal narrative is 5 pages to give applicants more room to provide methodologic detail.
-Fellows who are applying must include a plan describing how the project will be completed if the fellowship ends before project-completion and must identify a doctoral-level faculty co-investigator who will assume responsibility for completing the project, if necessary. An additional 1/2 page may be added to the usual maximum of 5 pages to allow Fellows to describe the plan.
-Medical students, interns and residents are not eligible to apply for pilot awards unless they request and receive a waiver prior to submission.
Applications are accepted four times per year, January 1, April 1, July 1, October 1, or the following Monday after a weekend. For more information, contact Dr. Ellen Fischer at fischerellenp@uams.edu or (501) 257-1711
MIRECC Implementation, Design and Analysis Support (MIDAS)
MIDAS offers centralized design, methodologic and analytic support to investigators in the South Central VA Health Care Network who are seeking intramural or extramural funding or conducting pilot projects. With expertise in biostatistics, epidemiology, psychometrics, qualitative methods, application of technology to research and education, and project implementation, team members can work with you around such topics as:
-Study design
-Instrument selection or design
-Recruitment and data collection procedures
-Analysis of qualitative data
-Identification of best VA data sources & access procedures
-Manuscript preparation
-and much more!
When the core MIDAS team does not have needed expertise, efforts will be made to connect you with other experienced methodologists within the SC MIRECC or located in research or academic institutions elsewhere. For more information or to request MIDAS services, contact Dr. Ellen Fischer at fischerellenp@uams.edu or (501) 257-1711.
Last updated: April 20, 2018
