title: Identification of translational dermatology research priorities in the U.K.: results of an electronic Delphi exercise.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Translational research is the direct application of basic and applied research to patient care. It is estimated that there are at least 2000 different skin diseases; thus, there are considerable challenges in seeking to undertake research on each of these disorders.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This electronic Delphi (e-Delphi) exercise was conducted in order to generate a list of translational dermatology research questions that are regarded as a priority for further investigations.
  
  
  METHODS
  During the first phase of the e-Delphi exercise, 228 research questions were generated by an expert panel that included clinical academic dermatologists, clinical dermatologists, nonclinical scientists, dermatology trainees and representatives from patient support groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Following completion of the second and third phases, 40 questions on inflammatory skin disease, 20 questions on structural skin disorders/genodermatoses, 37 questions on skin cancer and eight miscellaneous questions were designated as priority translational dermatology research questions (PRQs). In addition to PRQs on a variety of disease areas (including multiple PRQs on psoriasis, eczema, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma), there were a number of cross-cutting themes that identified a need to investigate mechanisms/pathogenesis of disease and the necessity to improve treatments for patients with skin disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is predicted that this list of PRQs will help to provide a strategic direction for translational dermatology research in the U.K. and that addressing this list of questions will ultimately provide clinical benefit for substantial numbers of patients with skin disorders.
authors.affiliation: Dermatopharmacology, Sir Henry Wellcome Laboratories, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.|Southampton Dermatology Centre, Royal South Hants Hospital, University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Healy
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, Dundee, UK.|Dermatology & Genetic Medicine, Medical Research Institute, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Langan
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Nicholls
authors.affiliation: Chemokine Research Group, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shams
authors.affiliation: Dermatology, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Reynolds
mesh_terms: D003697:Delphi Technique; D003880:Dermatology; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D012106:Research; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical; D006113:United Kingdom