{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"The SMHP Research Academy, an introduction with Dr. Melanie Tidman","description":"Inside the SMHP Research Academy: How Practitioners Can Turn Real-World Results Into Published Science When the Society of Metabolic Health Practitioners (SMHP) launched the Journal of Metabolic Health in late 2023, one question quickly rose to the surface: How do we help frontline clinicians, many of whom have never conducted research, learn to design, run, and publish high-quality studies? Enter Dr. Melanie Tidman. A professor, researcher, and longtime SMHP member, Melanie recognized a gap, and built a solution. The result is the SMHP Research Academy, a fully supported, step-by-step pathway that teaches practitioners how to take research ideas from concept to publication. In this podcast episode, she walks listeners through what the Academy offers, why it exists, and how it\u2019s already helping clinicians produce peer-reviewed science. Below is a summary of what you\u2019ll hear, but the full interview is worth every minute. A One-of-a-Kind Resource for Practitioners Melanie created the Academy in early 2024 with a clear mission: make research accessible to clinicians working in the real world. \u201cI had the vision back then to create an academy where our members who have never done research before could learn all of the ins and outs\u2026 of how to do research, how to collect data, how to analyze that data and how to publish a research article.\u201d Over nine months she built a 10-module, self-paced research curriculum, complete with video lessons, customizable learning formats, downloadable notes, and direct faculty support. Members can take the modules in order or revisit individual sections as needed. Each module, she notes, is \u201ccompletely comprehensive and customizable for your own learning style.\u201d IRB Support\u2014Including Up to $3,000 in Savings One of the biggest hurdles for new researchers is the IRB (Institutional Review Board) process. It\u2019s required for human studies in the U.S., but few practitioners know how to navigate it, and few are aware that approval often costs between $1,500 and $3,000. Melanie explains the differences between exempt, expedited, and full-board studies and then shares the Academy\u2019s unique advantage: \u201cTwo of us on the academy faculty are also faculty for universities having access to university IRBs\u2026 we become the primary investigator for the purpose of the IRB application\u2026 and there is no cost.\u201d For members, that alone is a major benefit\u2014one of many. Faculty-Guided Support From Design to Publication The Academy pairs each participant with a research mentor and faculty team specializing in study design, data analysis, manuscript writing, and qualitative methods. Projects now include case reports, retrospective analyses, literature reviews, mixed-methods studies, and more. As Melanie notes, the Academy already has 16 projects underway, including \u201cthree articles in peer review right now.\u201d She emphasizes that no project is too small: \u201cSay you just have one patient who had an incredible result, and you want to publish\u2026 I\u2019m your man.\u201d Up to $10,000 in Total Value\u2014Free for SMHP Members When Melanie adds up the typical costs\u2014IRB fees, data-analysis consultation, manuscript editing, and open-access publication fees\u2014she estimates that members receive between $9,000 and $10,000 worth of services at no charge. \u201cIf you publish with the Journal of Metabolic Health and you are a member of the SMHP, the SMHP will pay your open-access publishing fees,\u201d she explains. \u201cThere\u2019s another three to four thousand dollars worth of savings.\u201d Why This Matters The Academy empowers clinicians, from solo practitioners to large-system physicians, to turn real-world metabolic health outcomes into peer-reviewed evidence. And as Melanie reminds listeners: \u201cI can\u2019t say enough about my gratitude\u2026 It\u2019s there for your benefit. If you are a member, you have an entire Academy worth of information at your fingertips.\u201d Learn more about The SMHP\u2122 and join here. ","author_name":"LowCarbUSA Podcast","author_url":"https:\/\/www.lowcarbusa.org\/","html":"