title: Optimising Translational Research Opportunities: A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis of Basic and Clinician Scientists' Perspectives of Factors Which Enable or Hinder Translational Research.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Translational research is central to international health policy, research and funding initiatives. Despite increasing use of the term, the translation of basic science discoveries into clinical practice is not straightforward. This systematic search and narrative synthesis aimed to examine factors enabling or hindering translational research from the perspective of basic and clinician scientists, a key stakeholder group in translational research, and to draw policy-relevant implications for organisations seeking to optimise translational research opportunities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We searched SCOPUS and Web of Science from inception until April 2015 for papers reporting scientists' views of the factors they perceive as enabling or hindering the conduct of translational research. We screened 8,295 papers from electronic database searches and 20 papers from hand searches and citation tracking, identifying 26 studies of qualitative, quantitative or mixed method designs. We used a narrative synthesis approach and identified the following themes: 1) differing concepts of translational research 2) research processes as a barrier to translational research; 3) perceived cultural divide between research and clinical care; 4) interdisciplinary collaboration as enabling translation research, but dependent on the quality of prior and current social relationships; 5) translational research as entrepreneurial science. Across all five themes, factors enabling or hindering translational research were largely shaped by wider social, organisational, and structural factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To optimise translational research, policy could consider refining translational research models to better reflect scientists' experiences, fostering greater collaboration and buy in from all types of scientists. Organisations could foster cultural change, ensuring that organisational practices and systems keep pace with the change in knowledge production brought about by the translational research agenda.
authors.affiliation: Division of Health and Social Care Research, Faculty of Life Science and Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.|National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Nina
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7161-4355
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fudge
authors.affiliation: Centre for Implementation Science, Department of Health Service and Population Research, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Euan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sadler
authors.affiliation: Division of Health and Social Care Research, Faculty of Life Science and Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.|National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Helen R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.affiliation: Department of Research Oncology, King's College London and Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.|Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maher
authors.affiliation: Division of Health and Social Care Research, Faculty of Life Science and Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.|National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Charles D A
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Wolfe
authors.affiliation: Division of Health and Social Care Research, Faculty of Life Science and Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.|National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McKevitt
mesh_terms: D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D016208:Databases, Factual; D006291:Health Policy; D005791:Patient Care; D024382:Professional Role; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical