A Survey Study of Roadblocks in Translational Science

Clinical and translational science needs to address roadblocks to the translational processes. We conducted a survey at two institutions, a private medical school and a large public university, to understand the frequency and distribution of barriers and roadblocks to research. We reviewed the literature to compile a pool of barriers and roadblocks and convened a panel of relevant stakeholders to develop a 20-item questionnaire. Survey respondents were asked to select and prioritize the five leading clinical and translational roadblocks, provide information regarding their academic degrees and rank/position, complete open-ended items regarding their areas of research, and optionally add additional remarks in a comment box. The survey was disseminated in August 2022 to faculty and staff with active research protocols at Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Houston. In total, 227 respondents completed the survey. Their disciplines were basic science (29.5%), translational research (52.9%), clinical research (55.5%), community-engaged research (9.7%), and educational research (9.7%). Respondents identified (1) lack of access to trained research coordinators, (2) lack of understanding about different resources that facilitate research, (3) complex regulatory environment and delays, (4) fragmented infrastructure for administrative and fiscal processes, and (5) inadequate funding for pilot projects to foster new research. Other roadblocks included lack of established community stakeholder partnerships, inadequate access to medical record data, and limited biostatistical support. We identified leading roadblocks to research from the perspectives of scientists and staff conducting clinical and translational research. Operational innovations addressing these roadblocks can accelerate the pace of translation.