Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (IMHA)
Strategic Training Initiatives in Health Research (STIHR)
Work Disability Prevention CIHR Strategic Training Program
Director: Patrick Loisel, MD, FRCSC, Université de Sherbrooke
Website: www.usherbrooke.ca/wdp/eng/index.html
Our objective is to offer an innovative program to PhD students, post-doctoral fellows, and young researchers (graduated 5 years or less) focusing on the development of transdisciplinary Work Disability Prevention (WDP) knowledge, skills and attitudes in order to resolve complex problems.
Partners:
This program is an official program at Université de Sherbrooke. The program is funded by four CIHR institutes : Institute of Population and Public Health (IPPH), Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (IMHA), Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (IHSPR), Institute of Gender and Health (IGH). The Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST), the Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec (FRSQ) and Quebec rehabilitation research network (REPAR) are also funding the program.
Competencies to develop:
Becoming a graduate in the program will enable the student to better situate himself/herself and take position as a researcher in the field of work disability prevention in a Canadian context. Since the training program is designed to promote the acquisition of specific competencies required to become a researcher in WDP, the course content and educational methods were developed accordingly and trainees are expected to have achieved them by the end of the program.
- To analyse a research problem through a transdisciplinary and contextual perspective in order to maximize research relevance and impact;
- To integrate relevant ethical and legal issues in the design and implementation of WDP research;
- To effectively communicate a specific research project or methods to all other researchers involved in disciplines in the WDP field;
- To incorporate the necessary elements for the development of a research approach that considers the participation of relevant stakeholders;
- To participate in activities promoting knowledge exchange.
Methods:
This training program is offered in parallel to a doctorate or post-doctorate program recognized by a Canadian university or the equivalent in a recognized foreign university. The program is offered over a 3 year period. Three main types of educational experiences are privileged: 1) summer sessions including case-studies, seminars and invited speakers; 2) visiting training practicum at various Canadian sites; and 3) e-learning. The trainee's own disciplinary experience and research project are used to contribute to the group's transdisciplinary experience.
Other characteristics:
- Since students are already registered in another post-graduate university program on a full-time basis, this program is only offered part-time. Furthermore, because students come from around the world, the teaching formula is flexible and condensed; it is also the reason why we offer intensive summer sessions and e-training.
- Two-week courses are offered each spring for 3 consecutive years. Prior to these sessions, e-learning is mandatory and can be improved by taking additional training practicum in various research milieus related to rehabilitation and work disability prevention.
- In addition to the transdisciplinary training, each session is oriented towards one of the three following themes : Methodological issues (2006), socio-political issues, (2007), ethical issues (2005, 2008).
- 27 key mentors and collaborators from different professions (anthropology, biomechanics, law, epidemiology, ergonomics, occupational therapy, ethics, engineering, kinesiology, medicine, neuropsychology, physical therapy, psychology and bio-statistics) work in collaboration in this program. They all have important research and training experience and are associated to eight different universities located across Canada. They represent a large cluster of the few researchers that have made an important contribution to the recent advances in WDP knowledge.
- This program is attracting high-quality applicants from around the country and all over the world. Therefore, to ensure a fulfilling learning experience, the candidate will be asked to speak and comprehend English sufficiently to understand all the teachings.
- New students are admitted each year. The deadline to submit an application is January 15.
Students profile :
- Professionnal degree : anthropology, biomecanics, engineering, epidemiology, ergonomics, kinesiology, occupational physician, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology, psychosociology, sociology.
- Province/Countries represented : Australia, Brazil, British Columbia, Denmark, France, Manitoba, Netherlands, Newfoundland, Ontario, Québec.
For additional information, please contact:
Virginie Benjamin
Tel.: (450) 463-1835 extension 1-1799
Virginie.Benjamin@usherbrooke.ca
