Abstract
BackgroundIn a context where there is an increasing demand to evaluate the outcome of bio-medical research, our work aims to develop a set of indicators to measure the impact of translational cancer research. The objective of our study was to explore the scope and issues of translational research relevant to evaluation, explore the views of researchers on the evaluation of oncological translational research, and select indicators measuring the outcomes and outputs of translational research in oncology by consensus.MethodsSemi-structured interviews amongst 23 researchers involved in translational cancer research were conducted and analysed using thematic analysis. A two-round modified Delphi survey of 35 participants with similar characteristics was then performed followed by a physical meeting. Participants rated the feasibility and validity of 60 indicators. The physical meeting was held to discuss the methodology of the new indicators.ResultsThe main themes emerging from the interviews included a common definition for translational research but disagreements about the exact scope and limits of this research, the importance of multidisciplinarity and collaboration for the success of translational research, the disadvantages that translational research faces in current evaluation systems, the relative lack of pertinence of existing indicators, and propositions to measure translational cancer research in terms of clinical applications and patient outcomes. A total of 35 participants took part in the first round survey and 12 in the second round. The two-round survey helped us select a set of 18 indicators, including four that seemed to be particularly adapted to measure translational cancer research impact on health service research (number of biomarkers identified, generation of clinical guidelines, citation of research in clinical guidelines, and citation of research in public health guidelines). The feedback from participants helped refine the methodology and definition of indicators not commonly used.ConclusionIndicators need to be accepted by stakeholders under evaluation. This study helped the selection and refinement of indicators considered as the most relevant by researchers in translational cancer research. The feasibility and validity of those indicators will be tested in a scientometric study.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12961-015-0060-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
In a context where there is an increasing demand to evaluate the outcome of bio-medical research, our work aims to develop a set of indicators to measure the impact of translational cancer research
The concept of translational research has been described by Elias Zerhouni, the former director of the National Institute of Health, as “crossing the valley of death” between biomedical research and clinical applications [1], and has been formally defined as “research that transforms scientific discoveries arising in the lab, clinic, or population into new clinical tools and applications that reduce cancer incidence, morbidity, and mortality” [2]
Study design This study was undertaken as part of a project aiming to develop and test indicators measuring the outcome of translational cancer research
Summary
In a context where there is an increasing demand to evaluate the outcome of bio-medical research, our work aims to develop a set of indicators to measure the impact of translational cancer research. The concept of translational research has been described by Elias Zerhouni, the former director of the National Institute of Health, as “crossing the valley of death” between biomedical research and clinical applications [1], and has been formally defined as “research that transforms scientific discoveries arising in the lab, clinic, or population into new clinical tools and applications that reduce cancer incidence, morbidity, and mortality” [2] While this type of research, focused on improving patient outcomes, has increasingly become the centre of attention [3], there has been an increase in the demand to measure the outcome of biomedical research in terms of patient benefits and move beyond classical bibliometric indicators [4]. Impact includes outputs and outcomes, and may include additional contributions to the health sector or society” [9]
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