Development and interim results of a clinical research training fellowship

While the ability to base clinical training and patient care on scientific evidence is highly dependent on the results of translational and clinical research, a shortage of trained clinical investigators delays advances upon which to base evidence-based therapeutics. In response to this perceived shortage, a clinical research training program was developed in the Division of Intramural Research at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as a prototype for training health professionals in clinical research methodologies and their application to oral-craniofacial problems. All but one of the trainees initiated at least one clinical trial leading to a scientific publication. Of eleven fellows, ten completed the program with diverse outcomes: four trainees have entry-level academic or equivalent research positions; three trainees continued on to Ph.D. programs; one is completing a postdoctoral fellowship combined with clinical specialty training; one is completing a clinical residency; and two are in clinical practice. Six of the trainees received NIH funding, or the equivalent, in the NIH Intramural Research Program. These outcomes suggest that a program focused on translational and clinical research training is a successful strategy for improving the future supply of clinical researchers to support evidence-based practices and therapeutic innovation.