Combating Structural Inequities — Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Clinical and Translational Research

There are numerous examples of translational science innovations addressing challenges in the translational process, accelerating progress along the translational spectrum, and generating solutions relevant to a wide range of human health needs. Examining these successes through an education lens can identify core principles and effective practices that lead to successful translational outcomes. The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) is identifying and teaching these core principles and practices to a broad audience via online courses in translational science which teach from case studies of NCATS-led or supported research initiatives. In this paper, we share our approach to the design of these courses and offer a detailed description of our initial course, which focused on a preclinical drug discovery and development project spanning academic and government settings. Course participants were from a variety of career stages and institutions. Participants rated the course high in overall value to them and in providing a unique window into the translational science process. We share our model for course development as well as initial findings from the course evaluation with the goal of continuing to stimulate development of novel education activities teaching foundational principles in translational science to a broad audience.

Section: Discussion and Future Directionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Teaching principles of translational science to a broad scientific audience using a case study approach: A pilot course from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences

Faupel-Badger

Vogel

Hussain

et al. 2022

“…The foundation of community engagement, and by extension a core component of health justice, is trust and trustworthiness [3]. Additionally, as clinical and translational scientists, part of earning community trust is to demonstrate a real commitment of time and financial resources to invest in truly T4-level translational research that translates health equity research into equity-driven changes in public health policies [4].…”

Section: Translating To Health Justicementioning

confidence: 99%

Translational Science 22 conference proceedings

Pliakos¹,

Tague²,

Poblete³

2022

“…Evidence also shows that diversity within clinician and scientist teams is associated with better patient outcomes [3] and greater academic impact (e.g., higher impact papers) of scientific findings [4]. Importantly, to achieve equity in healthcare and health research, we cannot rely on minority-serving institutions or historically minoritized individuals to carry the full burden because systemic problems require systemic solutions [5,6]. Instead, all institutions must work to achieve equity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changing the face of academic medicine: an equity action plan for institutions

Enders

Golembiewski

Orellana

et al. 2022

In recent years, there have been concerted efforts to better recruit, support, and retain diverse faculty, staff, and trainees in academic medicine. However, many institutions lack comprehensive and strategic plans to provide support to retain and recruit individuals from historically underrepresented groups. In this article, we itemize specific mechanisms through which institutions can support diverse individuals with the goal of improving inclusion and belonging in the workforce to better reflect the diversity of the intended patient and research participant population.