Assessing Cross-Disciplinary Thinking in Cancer Prevention Research Training

• In Event: Measuring and Improving the Teaching Skills of Health Professions Faculty

Abstract

Professional education requires that students develop not only discipline specific competencies, but also cultivate broad knowledge across multiple disciplines that will allow them to apply and utilize their education and training to solve complex problems. Despite the recent national interest in interdisciplinary learning and research, little is known about the effectiveness of programs designed to enhance student interdisciplinary skills. Although the challenges associated with cancer prevention and treatment often require concerted research and education efforts across multiple disciplines, little is known about effective programs and best practices for training students in interdisciplinary cancer research. This study describes the impact of an interdisciplinary internship program in cancer prevention research on student understanding of the breath of cancer issues.

Authors

• Loran Carleton Parker, Purdue University

• Meghana Suchak, Purdue University

• Omolola Adedokun, Purdue University

• Robin Adams, Purdue University

• Dorothy Teegarden, Purdue University

• Amy L. Childress, Purdue University

• Wilella Burgess, Purdue University