An evaluation of the culturally-centered addictions research training (C-CART) graduate certificate program: A qualitative review

The Culturally-Centered Addictions Research Training (C-CART) program is a two-year graduate training program designed to train practicing clinicians and doctoral students in health-related fields in culturally-centered research for the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs) among underserved rural communities.This paper presents data from the qualitative portion of program evaluation. These data identified the program’s strengths and areas for growth, which have been implemented to ensure a better learning experience for Scholars. We conducted ten focus groups with three C-CART cohorts, with a total of 32 Scholars. Thematic analysis revealed that participation in the program was motivated by the program emphasis on culture and research skills, as well as opportunities to connect with community agencies. Scholars were positively impacted by improved research skills and understanding of methods, increased knowledge of the importance of culturally centered practices for SUD prevention and treatment, and enhanced ability to work within interdisciplinary teams. Scholars reported gaining confidence and benefiting from a support network of faculty and peers outside their primary graduate programs.Challenges included managing demanding workloads, interprofessional cooperation, interagency collaboration, and interpersonal issues in community-engaged doctoral research. Future programs should consider how to facilitate collaboration in interdisciplinary research teams, cater to workload demand of doctoral Scholars, and ensure ample opportunities for connection and support.