Theme: Defining Translational Research: Implications for Training
An Overview About Translational Research and Its Importance
Authors: Samara Machado Bruck and Gabrielle Gimenes Lima (FEBRAF, Brazil)
According to Rubio et al., translational research is constituted of two main principles, first, the principle of the integration between the basic research and the clinical one, second, the exchange of findings from clinical studies or trials to the society reality, aiming to improve their health status [1]. Although, without this notion of translational research, there is a gap between the basic research and its implications in the societies’ health improvement that is expressed in 17 to 24 years of delay to reach the target public [2,3].
Since the academical path is ruled about the number of publications that one publishes, the effective usage of the scientific results became secondary4. Translational Research aims to change this scenario promoting the bench to bedside research style [1].
Although, there is a lot to do to change that perspective. New academical training needs to be prepared focusing on the social impact of their scientific research [5], and it also needs to prepare the students using multidisciplinary tools to improve their critical thinking [1].
The critical thinking of Translational Research needs to be in our university program aiming to accelerate the science advance and to shortening the gap between bench to bedside. We, as Pharmacists or Pharmacy Students, need to start rethinking our journey as young scientists and the real implications of our research project.
We need to design our research projects thinking in how it will be useful for the society in general and not thinking in having a great number of publications or citations. Basic research seems to be useless if it does not pursue to the clinical usage and social health improvement, however, this should not be considered this way, since it is also extremely important.
References
- Rubio, D. M. et al. Defining Translational Research: Implications for Training. Academic Medicine. 2010; 85(3), 470–475. doi:10.1097/acm.0b013e3181ccd618
- Contopoulos-Ioannidis D. G. et al. Life cycle of translational research for medical interventions. Science. 2008; 321: 1298–1299
- Westfall J.M. et al. Practice-based research – “Blue Highways” on the NIH roadmap. JAMA. 2007; 297: 403–406.
- Friesike S. et al. Teach young scientists the importance of societal impact for research. Nature. 2018;554(7692):300. doi:10.1038/d41586-018-02066-2
- Stevelink R. et al. Young scientists aim to prioritize patients. Nature. 2018; 558(7711):519. doi:10.1038/d41586-018-05556-5
