Science, Art, Litt, Science based Art & Science Communication

Science communication can bridge the translational gap

Q: Dr. Krishna, you tell us so many things about clinical research. But our doctors don't. Why is this? Why are doctors ignorant about some of the things you tell?

Krishna: Research Data is there but doctors don't pay attention to it because of their busy schedules. Right now we have so many patients but so less doctors with the appropriate knowledge.

I noticed this when I spoke with some highly qualified medical doctors. They have good knowledge, no doubt, but not to the extent it should have been.

Most doctors, unless they themselves are into clinical research, don't follow research on a regular basis.

It takes on an average 14 to 17 years for information in research to translate into clinical care (1,2,3).

Despite longstanding concerns about delays in getting research into practice, the literature on time lags seems surprisingly under-developed.

Do you know some medical doctors follow my science communication reports? They tell me my reports do help them get updated.

It's a well-documented fact that it takes an average of 14 to 17 years for research findings to be implemented in clinical practice. This significant delay, often referred to as the "translational gap," highlights the challenges in moving new scientific discoveries from the lab to the patient's bedside.

Here's a more detailed look at this phenomenon:

The 14 to 17 Year Gap: Numerous studies and reports have established that on average, it takes 14 to 17 years for research evidence to reach clinical practice.

Factors Contributing to the Delay: Several factors contribute to this gap. The most important ones are

Lack of Broad Stakeholder Engagement: Researchers may not be in contact with clinicians who can implement the findings, hindering knowledge translation.

Organizational Issues: Implementing new evidence-based practices requires organizational structures and process changes, which can be complex.

Resistance to Change: Clinicians may be resistant to adopting new practices, even if they are evidence-based.

Insufficient Funding for Translational Research: Funding for translational research, which aims to bridge the gap between research and practice, is often limited.

To bridge the translational gap in a clinical setting, a multi-faceted approach is needed, including fostering collaboration between researchers and clinicians, science communication, promoting data-driven decision-making, implementing robust clinical trials, and ensuring effective implementation of evidence-based practices. This involves building bridges between basic science research, preclinical studies, clinical trials, and real-world application.

We have to address this translational gap for the patients to get benefited immediately as soon as the data and evidence is available. That is where science communication comes into picture. If the doctors follow us like some of them are doing right now, atleast the patients don't suffer as much as they are doing right now.

The role of Implementation Science: The field of implementation science is also emerging to focus on strategies for accelerating the translation of research into practice.

The Importance of Translation: Bridging the gap between research and practice is crucial for improving patient outcomes and ensuring that healthcare systems are based on the best available evidence and new data that dethrones old information.

How can this be achieved?

1. Collaboration and Communication:

Interdisciplinary Teams: We have to establish teams that bring together researchers, clinicians, and other relevant stakeholders like science communicators and patients to facilitate knowledge sharing and collaborative problem-solving.

Open Communication Channels:We also have to develop mechanisms for regular communication and information exchange between research and clinical departments.

Mentorship and Training: We have to provide training programs for clinicians to enhance their research literacy and for researchers to understand the clinical context.

2. Data and Evidence-Based Practice:

Data-Driven Insights: Medical professionals have to utilize data science and genomics to identify actionable insights from large datasets, allowing for personalized medicine and risk prediction.

Real-World Data: They have to incorporate real-world data from electronic health records (EHRs) and other sources to complement clinical trial findings and improve the generalizability of research results. Implementation and Dissemination: Focus on implementing evidence-based practices and interventions in real-world clinical settings, while also monitoring their effectiveness.

3. Clinical Trials and Research:

Robust Clinical Trials: Conduct rigorous clinical trials to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and long-term impact of new treatments and interventions.

Preclinical Studies: Validate and test potential therapies in animal models or in vitro studies before moving to human trials.

Virtual Clinical Trials: Utilize digital health tools and telemedicine to make clinical trials more accessible and efficient.

4. Implementation and Outcomes Research:

Practice-Based Evidence: Focus on generating evidence that is relevant to real-world clinical practice and addresses the needs of diverse patient populations.

Implementation Strategies: Develop and implement effective strategies for integrating new therapies and interventions into routine clinical care.

Outcomes Measurement: Continuously monitor the impact of interventions on patient outcomes and adjust strategies as needed.

5. Addressing the Gap:

Organizational Changes: Implement organizational changes that support translational research, such as creating research-focused units or designating research time for clinicians.

Funding and Resources: Secure adequate funding and resources for translational research projects. Cultural Shift: Promote a culture that values research and encourages collaboration between different disciplines.

Medical science , like all other disciplines of science, is a constantly evolving one. What the doctors studied several years back may not be relevant to today's world. The doctors have to keep up with the changing scenario. If they can't read each and every research paper, atleast they should go through the brief reports we present on a daily basis.

Then only the patient can get benefited by the ever improving knowledge.

What is the use of all the hard work the scientists are putting in if it doesn't benefit the common man in a short period?

The right treatment delayed is treatment denied!

Medical doctors, please think about this.

Footnotes:

1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3241518/

2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37018006/

3. https://researchimpact.ca/featured/17-years-from-research-to-impact...

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