Translational Research

Translational (or translation) research emphasizes more effective transfer of basic research findings to applied practice situations. It has grown over the past decade from the biosciences–medical practice realm to other settings involving the application of scientific findings to individual, organizational, and societal problem remediation and prevention. Translational research issues focus on how to translate research findings more quickly, efficiently, and effectively to end users. Communication concepts and techniques are a key component in this process.

The traditional and still most active realm of translational research remains in the health sciences, focused most on converting the latest laboratory discoveries into diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive measures ready for clinical trials on humans. A second, closely related translational realm involves moving from successful clinical trials to routine clinical practice. These two facets together comprise the “bench to bedside” view of translation research in health sciences. While communication issues can abound in the first phase of this process, typically labeled as type 1 translation, they come even more into play in the second or type 2 component. Further, in recent years, the type 2 phase has expanded well beyond clinical [Page 907]practice per se to community health settings, prevention information programs and interventions, public health policy, and other venues ripe with communication theory and research applications. The recent extension of translational research concepts and models into areas beyond health has only heightened the need for communication perspectives in looking at more general “research-to-practice” situations.

Nonetheless, the research domicile for translational research remains for now in the federal health agencies and allied organizations, notably including industry. The National Institutes of Health has prioritized the field with centers dedicated to it, both in its own institutes and at academic sites across the country. International emphases have grown as well. More pragmatically, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's Knowledge Transfer/Implementation program provides technical assistance to translational programs, as well as being a clearinghouse for case experiences from state and local efforts. Localized partnerships have embraced the research-to-practice (R2P) effort, often expanding to such issues as public safety and environmental protection and remediation.

Although translational research is defined in various ways, most generally parallel the view of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that it examines factors that facilitate efficacious and effective translation of research into everyday practices and programs and evaluates the uses of knowledge, decision making, and impact by key actors in that process. Barriers include lack of interaction among basic researchers, applied researchers, and practitioners, with each group using different methods and standards, different end goals, and indeed varying concepts and definitions.

One significant barrier identified in translating health promotion R2P interventions has ramifications for several areas of programs. Basic research is typically focused on the efficacy of specific techniques in controlled settings; internal validity is paramount. Successful techniques are then brought to the field, where their overall effectiveness in trial and adoption (that is, their external validity) are assessed, often with less satisfactory results. More emphasis on blending efficacy with effectiveness research across broader situations and populations may help close the translation gap in such cases.

...