Learn how to plan, conduct, and share your translational research in a way that aligns with the needs and preferences of your end-users.

This is an essential step. All too often study regimes for interventions are not what is used in practice or what is clinically impactful, so it is essential to ensure that experienced clinicians, researchers and patients are all involved as early as possible. Expert clinician input is essential to ensure that research protocols focus on the right intervention for the right patient group at the right time with correct evaluation timeline and tools. Multidisciplinary involvement is important for complex interventions, especially if there is team-based assessment or delivery planned.

How can you ensure that your translational research is relevant to clinical practice?

Translational research is the process of applying scientific discoveries to clinical practice, with the aim of improving health outcomes and quality of life. However, translating research findings into real-world applications is not easy. It requires careful planning, collaboration, communication, and evaluation. In this article, you will learn how to ensure that your translational research is relevant to clinical practice, by following six key steps.

1 Define your problem

The first step is to define the problem or gap that your research aims to address. What is the unmet need or challenge that affects patients, providers, or health systems? How does your research question align with the priorities and preferences of the end-users? How will your research contribute to the existing evidence base and practice guidelines? By defining your problem clearly, you will be able to focus your research objectives and methods, and justify your relevance and impact.

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2 Engage your stakeholders

The second step is to engage your stakeholders throughout the research process. Stakeholders are the people who have an interest or influence in your research topic, such as patients, caregivers, clinicians, policymakers, funders, or industry partners. By involving them early and often, you will be able to understand their needs, expectations, and perspectives, and co-create solutions that are feasible, acceptable, and meaningful. You will also be able to build trust, rapport, and support for your research outcomes and implementation.

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Dr Nina Fuller-Shavel

Award-winning precision health & integrative medicine doctor, scientist and educator; Director & Head of Integrative Cancer Care at Synthesis Clinic; Co-founder of the Oncio app; Co-Chair of the BSIO Education Committee
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This is an essential step. All too often study regimes for interventions are not what is used in practice or what is clinically impactful, so it is essential to ensure that experienced clinicians, researchers and patients are all involved as early as possible. Expert clinician input is essential to ensure that research protocols focus on the right intervention for the right patient group at the right time with correct evaluation timeline and tools. Multidisciplinary involvement is important for complex interventions, especially if there is team-based assessment or delivery planned.

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3 Design your study

The third step is to design your study using appropriate methods and tools. Depending on your research question and purpose, you may use different types of translational research, such as basic, clinical, or implementation research. You may also use different methods of data collection and analysis, such as quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods. Whatever you choose, you should ensure that your study design is rigorous, ethical, and transparent, and that it addresses the needs and preferences of your stakeholders and end-users.

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4 Disseminate your findings

The fourth step is to disseminate your findings to your target audiences and channels. Dissemination is the process of sharing and communicating your research results and implications, using various formats and platforms, such as publications, presentations, reports, podcasts, or social media. The goal of dissemination is to raise awareness, interest, and engagement among your stakeholders and end-users, and to inform their decision-making and behavior. To disseminate effectively, you should tailor your messages and materials to suit your audiences and channels, and use clear, concise, and compelling language.

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5 Implement your solutions

The fifth step is to implement your solutions in the real-world setting. Implementation is the process of applying and integrating your research outcomes and recommendations into practice, policy, or service delivery. The goal of implementation is to achieve change, improvement, and impact in health outcomes and quality of life. To implement successfully, you should consider the barriers and facilitators that may affect the adoption and sustainability of your solutions, and use strategies and frameworks that can support and evaluate the implementation process and outcomes.

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6 Monitor and evaluate your impact

The sixth and final step is to monitor and evaluate your impact. Monitoring and evaluation are the processes of measuring and assessing the effects and value of your research and implementation activities, using indicators and metrics that reflect your goals and objectives. The purpose of monitoring and evaluation is to demonstrate and communicate your impact, and to learn from your successes and challenges. By monitoring and evaluating your impact, you will be able to provide feedback, accountability, and evidence for your stakeholders and end-users, and to identify areas for improvement and future research.

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Andrew Parsons PhD, CWP, RHC

Pioneering Conscious Leading & Living || Executive & Health Coach | Wellness Specialist | Medicines Research & Innovation | Executive & NED Leadership | Author | Neurodivergent, Cancer Survivor & Martial Arts Instructor.
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I think it is so important to bring the effectiveness perspective into the evaluation. This may well be phase 4, after the clinical trial phase, however understanding how agents Act in the “real world” has to be a consideration. I also don’t think this is the final step….. it’s important to think and take appropriate on how actions on how to reach what is considered to be the end game at the start…… a holistic view taking all parts is vital (and often missed)

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you ensure that your translational research is relevant to clinical practice?

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1 Define your problem

2 Engage your stakeholders

3 Design your study

4 Disseminate your findings

5 Implement your solutions

6 Monitor and evaluate your impact

7 Here’s what else to consider

Research Management

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