Training and career development in clinical and translational science: an opportunity for rehabilitation scientists.
BACKGROUND
The National Institutes of Health's Clinical and Translational Science Award initiative is designed to establish and promote academic centers of clinical and translational science (CTS) that are empowered to train and advance multi- and interdisciplinary investigators and research teams to apply new scientific knowledge and techniques to enhance patient care. Among the key components of a full-service center for CTS is an educational platform to support research training in CTS. Educational objectives and resources available to support the career development of the clinical and translational scientists, including clinical research education, mentored research training, and career development support, are described.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the article is to provide an overview of the CTS educational model so that rehabilitation specialists can become more aware of potential resources that are available and become more involved in the delivery and initiation of the CTS model in their own workplace. Rehabilitation clinicians and scientists are well positioned to play important leadership roles in advancing the academic mission of CTS. Rigorous academic training in rehabilitation science serves as an effective foundation for supporting the translation of basic scientific discovery into improved health care. Rehabilitation professionals are immersed in patient care, familiar with interdisciplinary health care delivery, and skilled at working with multiple health care professionals.


CONCLUSIONS
The NIH Clinical and Translational Science Award initiative is an excellent opportunity to advance the academic development of rehabilitation scientists.
Dept. of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
Thomas H
TH
Kelly
Carl G
CG
Mattacola
D001363:Awards and Prizes; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000193:education*; D002322:Career Mobility; D006801:Humans; D009316:National Institutes of Health (U.S.); D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000193:education*; D012109:Research Support as Topic; D013178:Sports Medicine / Q000193:education*; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical / Q000193:education*; D014481:United States