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Evaluating quality in clinical cancer research: the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center experience

James D Cox1, Sergio A Giralt, Mary L Veazie

  • 1Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.

Oncology
|July 3, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

A new evaluation system for clinical cancer research quality was developed and implemented at an academic medical center. This system successfully assessed faculty performance and can be used to improve research quality.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Medical Education
  • Research Quality Assessment

Background:

  • Assessing the quality of clinical cancer research is crucial for advancing patient care.
  • Limited strategies exist for evaluating clinical research efforts at academic institutions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and implement a formal evaluation system for clinical cancer research quality at an academic medical center.
  • To establish criteria for assessing faculty and departmental performance in clinical research.

Main Methods:

  • A committee of senior faculty established and revised scoring criteria based on a pilot study.
  • Evaluated 392 faculty across 35 departments using a 1-5 scoring scale (3 as institutional standard).
  • Results were shared with departmental chairs and the Chief Academic Officer.

Main Results:

  • The median faculty score was 3, with a range of 1-5.
  • Full professors tended to receive higher scores (1).
  • Tenure/tenure-track faculty generally scored higher than non-tenure track faculty.

Conclusions:

  • Rigorous, consensus-based evaluation of clinical cancer research quality is feasible at academic medical centers.
  • Such evaluations can serve as a management tool to enhance the quality of clinical research.
  • The implemented system demonstrated potential for improving research standards and outcomes.

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