Integrative Medicine Research

Transcription

1 MASTER OF SCIENCE IN Integrative Medicine Research

2 Integrative medicine research utilizes the principles of the biomedical research field and applies them to nutrition, herbal medicine, acupuncture, yoga, mind-body and other complementary therapies.

3 Master of Science in Integrative Medicine Research As health challenges increase globally, the need for innovative approaches to health care is evident. Integrative medicine incorporates conventional and complementary practices to treat disease and create optimal health and wellness for patients. With the continued rise in popularity of integrative approaches to health, there is a growing demand for rigorous research in integrative medicine. The Master of Science in Integrative Medicine Research (MSiMR) program is designed for students interested in gaining the skills needed to build careers in medical research. Through crossdisciplinary coursework and mentoring, the MSiMR program trains students for multiple research career paths. Integrative medicine includes a diverse set of practices, such as herbal medicine, nutrition, massage, yoga, mindfulness and many others. Under the mentorship of expert faculty, students study natural medicine approaches while gaining a skill set that can be applied to basic science, clinical or public health research. Graduates of this program are skilled in research methodology, study design, data collection and analysis. This skill set allows our graduates to contribute high-quality studies that are relevant to the real-world practice of integrative medicine.

4 Program Outcomes The Master of Science in Integrative Medicine Research is one of the few programs in the country that allows students to study integrative medicine using rigorous research methods derived from basic science and public health. Courses include clinical research design, epidemiology, biostatistics and bioethics. Students tailor the program to their interests through a variety of elective courses and practical experience working on a research project. Graduates of this program will meet the following learning outcomes in: Research Skills Expertise Apply rigorous research methodologies to scientific inquiry, including literature review, critical appraisal, research study design, outcome selection, data collection and analysis, and scientific presentation and communication. Integrative Medicine Research Develop, employ and evaluate research methodologies applicable to clinically relevant research in natural medicine. Scientific Integrity Apply an ethical framework to all research activities. Professional Growth Cultivate an ongoing practice of scholarly activity and interprofessional collaboration that promotes a career in a continually evolving profession. Estimated Program Cost Current tuition, as of , for the MSiMR program is $414 per credit. Tuition is subject to change. Please visit nunm.edu or contact the Office of Admissions for current information. Students concurrently enrolled in an additional degree program at NUNM may transfer in applicable course credits. Estimated total program cost: $34,259* (67 credits x $414/credit) *subject to change Total MSiMR Degree Credits Core program credits 59 Elective credits 8 Total required credits 67

5 Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. ALBERT EINSTEIN Admissions Requirements GPA: 3.2 or higher* Science GPA: 3.0 or higher Course Prerequisites: General Chemistry two courses General Biology with Lab one course Math two courses Pre-calculus, calculus or math-based statistics Psychology one course Humanities one course English composition Essay: What interests you about integrative medicine research? (800 words or less) Resume: Please include internships, extracurricular activities and publications. Personal Statement: Describe your background in research, your research-related interests or career goals. (800 words or less) *Applicants outside the recommended GPA will be considered based on their demonstrated research capacity and commitment to integrative medicine, and are encouraged to apply. Recommended additional courses: Statistics, cell biology, ethics

6 Required Courses Introduction to Integrative Medicine Introduction to Laboratory Methods Anatomy and Physiology Integrative Immunology Research Practicum Integrative Medicine Research Seminar I & II Journal Club I & II Integrative Research Fundamentals I Integrative Research Fundamentals II Integrative Research Fundamentals III Integrative Microbiology Technical Writing The field of integrative medicine involves many complex disciplines. This course explains the basic philosophies and practices of Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, naturopathy, homeopathy, shamanic healing and other integrative medicine practices. Students are familiarized with the methodology and instruments employed in common laboratory techniques. Students rotate through the basic science, clinical, psychophysiology and food/nutrition laboratories. This class prepares students to conduct the research for their master s project. This course is a systems approach to gross and microscopic anatomy, physiology, and internal organ, endocrine and central nervous systems. This course provides basic descriptions and functions of the body, with emphasis on how biological outcomes are collected to measure function of different organs. Learn the basic functions of the immune system, with emphasis on using immunological outcomes to track health outcomes. Students learn basic immunology and how to measure white blood cells, antibodies and cytokines. Students will work with their mentor on an integrative medicine research study. This class is taken every quarter upon mentor assignment. Students propose an independent research project, design and implement the study, analyze data, and synthesize the results for presentation or publication. This series inspires and informs students about integrative medicine research ideas and the people in the field by attending a local research conference. Students present and discuss recently published articles in natural medicine. This course covers landmark studies in integrative medicine, and foundational complementary and alternative medicine research concepts. Students learn about researchers, mentors and projects at NUNM; and community groups and doctors present potential research topics. This course focuses on critical appraisal of research, including research ethics, blinding and consent. Students also learn about assessment and evaluation of current research publications, and begin literature searches to establish a gap in knowledge where they may focus their own thesis project. Students explore the diversity of research happening locally and globally in integrative health. This course also highlight scholars currently involved in integrative medicine research, funding mechanisms for researchers, networking and career planning. This course provides an overview of the major infectious bacteria and viruses, as well as normal microflora. The course also includes the etiology, epidemiology, prevention and control of communicable diseases from a public health point of view. Learn general writing skills and strategies; with tips for writing the abstract, introduction, background, hypothesis and aims, methods, results and discussion sections of an IRB application or a peer-reviewed article.

7 Required Courses Research Methodology Biostatistics I Biostatistics II Principles of Epidemiology Bioethics Nutrition Public Health Policy Capstone This course is an introduction to research design, including how to formulate a research question, identify primary and secondary hypotheses, and distinguish between types of experimental designs and methods to identify bias and flaws in study designs. Students develop a study proposal as they learn to establish inclusion and exclusion criteria, identify outcome measures, and provide rationale for choices. Participant recruitment, screening, retention and adherence are addressed. Learn basic concepts in probability, estimation and hypothesis testing, as well as statistical methods frequently used in clinical research. This course provides familiarity with basic statistical concepts, issues in clinical research, and teaches simple data analysis. Learn techniques appropriate for handling a single outcome variable and multiple predictors. Develop skills in the use of appropriate statistical procedures for estimation and inference, according to underlying assumptions and type of study design. Interpreting statistical analysis and understanding the limitations of data and its consequences are also discussed. Concepts in epidemiology are covered in this course, such as multivariate causality, relative risk, odds ratio, sampling error and different types of bias (selection, information, definition biases), and confounding factors are introduced and applied to integrative medicine. Students discuss study designs, survey and sample selection, cross-sectional, cohort, casecontrol; prospective and retrospective designs are discussed from the epidemiological and integrative medicine perspective. This course covers the ethical issues in research, with special attention to vulnerable subjects. Learn about concepts related to study regulation, study design, reporting data, and ethics in clinical and biomedical research. Students will review common problems encountered in protocols and informed consent, and discuss the roles and responsibilities of those involved in the conduct of human research. Explore diet and its relationship to health and disease with an emphasis on the health effects of different foods and specialized diets. The course covers recommended daily allowance, food labels and hidden ingredients, as well as topics like organic foods and GMO foods. Each week, students cook healthy whole-foods meals. Learn about the important role policy plays in public health and governmental responses to public health issues. Social justice and health access are discussed, as well as integrative medicine strategies to address these concerns. Guest lecturers provide perspective on the issues facing public health, including addiction, mental health, vaccination, obesity and tobacco use. Students complete the capstone credit during the quarter in which they finalize and defend their master s thesis. Students work with their graduating peers, sharing and editing each other s theses, and practicing their thesis defense presentations.

8 Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known. CARL SAGAN

9 Elective Courses: This is a sample list, additional electives are available. Grant Writing Botanicals: Bench to Bedside Mind as Medicine: Mind-Body Therapies Psychology and Behavior Change Health Disparities Research Environmental Impact on Health and Disease Essentials of Integrative Oncology Clinical Trial Design and Conduct Vaccinations Gut Immunology WEEKEND COURSE Learn skills in communication, problem solving and critical thinking in order to write successful grant proposals. The course covers types of grants, as well as the process of submitting a grant to NIH and other potential funding sources. This course studies botanical research papers, including basic science, translational and clinical studies. Students discuss the challenges and limitations to conducting botanical research, work in a botanical lab, and develop the skills to conduct research on botanicals. Experience and read research papers on a variety of different mind-body modalities, such as meditation, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and guided imagery. Students become familiar with the breadth and depth of diseases and conditions for which they are used, discuss the challenges and limitations to conducting mind-body research, and practice different mindbody techniques. This course reviews literature of landmark papers in health behavior research, and teaches students how to conduct health behavior research. Students learn how to employ behavior change strategies to help with participant compliance, and assist with patients making behavioral changes. This course introduces key areas of research in health disparities, especially pertaining to health care in the United States. Students will read recent papers documenting health disparities and discuss how research informs policy. Students will become familiar with some of the national data sources used to assess progress in mitigating disparities in the U.S. Current topics in environmental medicine are covered, including toxicology, air and water quality, food standards and other issues. The course provides evidence for environmental influences on health outcomes such as obesity, chronic disease and stress. This evidence-based course familiarizes students with the basics of cancer diagnosis, conventional therapies, and evidence that supports natural therapies for cancer. Students read landmark studies and cutting-edge oncology research; and discuss scientific validity, clinical benefits, toxicities, and limitations of state-of-the-art integrative therapies when applied to oncology patients. This course is designed for students who intend to conduct a clinical trial as part of their master s thesis and those who want to understand the inner workings of proposal creation, IRB approval, and clinical trial implementation. Key aspects of clinical trial design and conduct are covered. Students will actively create their own study documents in class and, with the support of their mentor, could have a proposal that is ready for submission to the NUNM Scientific Review Committee by the end of the term. This course discusses new vaccine strategies; current vaccines, components and schedules; and vaccine safety. Students will be able to identify types of vaccines, ingredients of each vaccine, predicted immune responses to those vaccines, and potential side-effects of each vaccine. A comprehensive overview of the immunology of the gut; how natural therapies and diet affect the gut; and how the immune response in the gut then has systemic effects on health. The course also studies food allergies and hypersensitivities, IBS, IBD, Crohn s disease and colon cancer, and nutritional influences on immunity.

10 Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought. ALBERT SZENT-GYÖRGYI

11 Frequently Asked Questions 1. Will I have to write a thesis? Yes, a thesis is required for graduation from the MSiMR program. 2. What kind of job could I get with a degree in integrative medicine research? Each individual s prospects vary with their particular skills and background, as well as their geographic area and experience before and during graduate school. Graduates of the program often pursue careers as masters-level researchers, doctoral level clinicianresearchers or evidence-informed clinicians. A recent review of open positions throughout the U.S. indicates that a graduate in this field with 0-5 years relevant experience would meet at least the minimum qualifications for these jobs: Public and Private Research Institutes Research Assistant, Associate or Analyst Healthcare Policy Research Aide Infectious Disease Biologist Hospitals and Clinics Research Technician Program Coordinator Research Center Program Manager Colleges and Universities Project Manager Instructor or Faculty Member Institutional Researcher Private Industry Clinical Trial Coordinator Science Writer Research and Development Associate Government and Nonprofit Public Health Policy Analyst Project Coordinator Program Manager 3. What are your graduates doing? Graduates of the MSiMR program are in demand, and have gone on to NIH-funded postdoctoral fellowships at prestigious universities and industry-sponsored research positions. They have become clinical investigators on research studies, been employed in competitive research residencies, and pursued research in their clinical private practices. Graduates have also pursued additional education, including PhD programs in multiple disciplines.

12 Sample Research Projects Kirsten Wright PHYTOCHEMICAL SYNERGISM IN CLASSICAL CHINESE HERBAL PAIRS This project used modern scientific methodology to investigate chemical relationships when herbs are prepared in pairs compared to herbs prepared in isolation. The goal of this project was to determine if there is a change in the chemical composition of the formula using high performance liquid chromatography to better understand classical Chinese medicine formulations. Samples were prepared at NUNM and data collection was done at the Pharmacokinetics Core at Oregon Health & Science University. What was observed was an increase and decrease in some chemical constituents and the formation of novel compounds when the herbs were prepared together. Jacob Hill NATUROPATHIC ONCOLOGY DELPHI PANEL The idea for the Naturopathic Oncology Delphi Panel originated from a desire to support the clinical practice and research development of the emerging field of naturopathic oncology. At the 2014 Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians (OncANP) conference, the Delphi Panel gathered eight experienced naturopathic oncologists to discuss and debate a series of questions regarding ethics, philosophy and research development as they pertain to naturopathic oncology. This project was the first major collaborative effort between the OncANP and Helfgott Research Institute. The summary article and content analysis of the Delphi Panel is intended to provide clarity and education to various audiences, including naturopathic physicians, conventional medical professionals, medical researchers, cancer patients and the general public. Sarah Hourston MICRONUTRIENT LEVELS IN ADULTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS Currently, there are several research studies looking at nutrient levels and dietary supplements in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Much of this research has shown different micronutrient levels in children with ASD compared to neurotypical children, and that dietary supplements are beneficial for ASD symptoms. The goal of this project is to determine if there is a nutritional difference in adults with ASD compared to neurotypical adults. If so, it will encourage further research on micronutrient supplements in this population. Learn more about our ongoing research projects: nunm-helfgott.nunm.edu/projects

13 Master of Science in Integrative Medicine Research Program Course # COURSE TITLE Credits RESEARCH PROJECT RES 510 Introduction to Integrative Medicine 2 STAGE ONE RES 520 Integrative Research Fundamentals I 1 Brainstorm potential research project topics RESN 535 Research Practicum 18* Mentor is assigned, regular RES 600 Biostatistics I 2 meetings begin Start background research RES 701 Anatomy and Physiology 2 STAGE TWO RES 702 Integrative Immunology 3 Narrow research concepts Complete literature review RES 521 Integrative Research Fundamentals II 1 Choose research project RES 530 Research Methodology 3 Submit one-page proposal for scientific review RES 700 Nutrition 2 Start IRB documents RES 531 Integrative Medicine Research Seminar 2 Continue regular mentor meetings RES 533 Integrative Research Fundamentals III 1 STAGE THREE Form thesis committee RES 601 Biostatistics II -OR- 3 Complete thesis proposal GSGH 705 Biostatistics Secondary Data Analysis Obtain committee approval for thesis proposal RES 703 Integrative Microbiology 2 Submit IRB application for RES 502 Principles of Epidemiology 3 scientific review, if applicable RES 620 RES 501 Introduction to Laboratory Methods Journal Club 2 1 STAGE FOUR Start research project Collect data RES 505 Bioethics 2 Begin writing thesis RES 610 Technical Writing 2 STAGE FIVE RES 630 Public Health Policy 2 Analyze data Start thesis defense RES 501 Journal Club 1 presentation RES 531 Integrative Medicine Research Seminar 2 Submit rough draft of thesis to committee RES 636 Capstone 2 STAGE SIX Varies Total Elective Course Credits 8 Finish and defend thesis Prepare and present poster *Total practicum credits dependent on program length

14 Master of Science in Integrative Medicine Research Elective Classes Course # ELECTIVES Credits RES 538E Teaching Strategies and Course Development 2 RES 611E Grant Writing 2 RES 615E How to Write and Publish Case Studies 2 RES 621E Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine: Philosophy & Evidence 2 RES 622E Botanicals: Bench to Bedside 2 RES 623E Mind as Medicine: Mind-Body Therapies 2 RES 624E Psychology and Behavior Change 2 RES 802E Health Disparities Research 2 RES 803E Advanced Research Methods 2 RES 805E Environmental Impact on Health and Disease 2 RES 806E Essentials of Integrative Oncology 2 RES 809E Women's Health: Fertility and Beyond 2 RES 820E Clinical Trial Design and Conduct 2 RES 832E Vaccinations 2 RES 833E Gut Immunology 2

15 The art and science of asking questions is the source of all knowledge. THOMAS BERGER

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