A training program for nurse scientists to promote intervention translation.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Science
• Translational Science
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Chronic illnesses pose a significant burden, necessitating interventions that are effective, widely adopted, and reach high-risk populations.
• A critical gap exists in the slow translation of research-tested interventions into real-world practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a pre- and postdoctoral research-training program at UNC Chapel Hill School of Nursing designed to expedite knowledge translation.
• The program addresses the need to speed the translation of research findings across the entire research cycle.

Main Methods:

• The training program integrates six "catalysts" to accelerate translation: stakeholder engagement, patient-centered outcomes, intervention optimization and sequential multiple randomized trials (SMART), pragmatic trials, mixed methods, and dissemination and implementation science.
• These catalysts are incorporated into coursework, seminars, and experiential research training.
• Trainee proficiency in at least two catalysts is assessed through scholarly products and peer reviews.

Main Results:

• The program trains nurse scientists to expedite intervention development, testing, dissemination, and implementation.
• Emphasis is placed on theory-based interventions integrated with the six translational catalysts.

Conclusions:

• This training model aims to produce nurse scientists capable of accelerating the translation of theory-based interventions.
• The ultimate goal is to improve health outcomes for individuals and populations affected by chronic illness.