Capacity for training in clinical research: status and opportunities.
The ability to base patient care on scientific evidence depends in part on the results of translational and applied research. The shortage of trained clinical researchers identified by several sources limits the availability of clinical research studies upon which to base evidence-based therapeutics. This premise suggests that the dental profession needs to train more clinical researchers and faculty to conduct clinical research and to teach its applications to practice. Increasing opportunities for clinical research training in a variety of settings should eventually increase the numbers of clinical researchers, raise faculty involvement in clinical research, and promote science transfer. This paper reports on the current status of clinical research in dental schools, specifies the diverse groups involved in the clinical research enterprise, and identifies underutilized opportunities and partnerships for clinical research training. Data on federal and nonfederal funding of clinical research and training programs are presented. Existing and novel mechanisms for expanding clinical research training throughout and across traditional as well as unconventional environments are explored.
Gordon
Sharon M
SM
Office of the Director, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Public Health Service, Bethesda, MD 20892-4310, USA. NIDCRtraining@mail.nih.gov
Heft
Marc W
MW
Dionne
Raymond A
RA
Jeffcoat
Marjorie K
MK
Alfano
Michael C
MC
Valachovic
Richard W
RW
Lipton
James A
JA
D018865:Dental Research / Q000193:education*; D004497:Education, Dental; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005179:Faculty, Dental; D005380:Financing, Government; D006801:Humans; D016730:Program Development; D012109:Research Support as Topic; D012575:Schools, Dental; D012586:Science / Q000193:education; D013663:Teaching; D018581:Technology Transfer; D014146:Training Support