Sub-Saharan African Fogarty Medical Informatics Training Program, 01/00

Applications are invited for International Training Fellowships in Medical Informatics at Tufts University-New England Medical Center. The purpose of the training is to increase the medical research capacity of the sub-Saharan region. All training should be relevant to the public health and essential medical research concerns of sub- Saharan Africa. Candidates can choose from a wide variety of areas of medical informatics study in the USA. Examples include clinical research design, epidemiology, biostatistics, clinical decision making, health care communications, educational/research database design, and telemedicine. This program assumes a flexible approach to medical informatics and will provide individualized programs of study to qualified candidates.

The program is funded by a training grant from the Fogarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health, Washington, D.C. Successful applicants will receive funding for travel expenses, and a stipend for living expenses and tuition. In addition applicants will be eligible to receive funding for research projects to be undertaken on return to their home institutions. Training is for a minimum of one year; in exceptional circumstances shorter training programs may be offered.

Fellows will be trained by faculty from TUSM/NEMC, including the Boston Informatics Fellowship Program (TUSM-Harvard School of Medicine-Massachusetts Institute of Technology), and the State Laboratory Institute of Massachusetts. In addition faculty from co-operating institutions in southern Africa will be available as mentors. Training for selected candidates may lead to a degree of Master in Public health from TUSM.

Who should apply?
* Candidates with medical, dental, or veterinary degrees
* Candidates with a masters or doctoral degree in allied health sciences (social sciences, psychology, biostatistics, library science etc). Candidates with Bachelors degrees will be accepted in exceptional circumstances
* Candidates who have demonstrated a commitment to the public health problems in their countries of origin will be given the highest priority
* Candidates need to have basic computer skills and speak English
* Candidates need to commit to return to work in their countries of origin
* Priority will be given to those who demonstrate a clear understanding of how their training in the USA will be applied in Africa, particularly those with specific research proposals
* Candidates with previous research experience, those with existing datasets, and those involved with ongoing research projects are encouraged to apply

Applications:
Applicants should indicate their interest in this training program by writing a letter describing their research interests and experience, and how they anticipate utilizing their training upon their return to their home institutions and countries. This letter should be submitted with a full CV and three completed professional references. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Closing Date:
All applications must be received by no later than January 31st, 2000.

Applications must be sent to:
Dr SS Abdool Karim
Fogarty - ITMI
P. O. Box 17120
Congella
4013 Durban
South Africa
Tel: +27-31-251-481
Fax: +27-31-258-840
mailto:karims@mrc.ac.za

Candidates are encouraged to review further information about this program on the World Wide Web at:
http://www.nemc.org/itmi

Requests for further information must be addressed to:
Joseph Birbiglia
Fogarty Administrator
NEMC Box 041, 750 Washington Street,
Boston, MA 02111, USA
Tel: +1-617-636-2336
Fax: +1-617-636-3216
mailto:jbirbiglia@lifespan.org

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