Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2015 Oct;8(5):533-41.
doi: 10.1111/cts.12281. Epub 2015 May 23.

The Multidisciplinary Translational Team (MTT) Model for Training and Development of Translational Research Investigators

Bill T Ameredes  1 , Mark R Hellmich  2 , Christina M Cestone  3 , Kevin C Wooten  4   5 , Kenneth J Ottenbacher  6 , Tasnee Chonmaitree  7 , Karl E Anderson  8 , Allan R Brasier  9
Affiliations

The Multidisciplinary Translational Team (MTT) Model for Training and Development of Translational Research Investigators

Bill T Ameredes et al. Clin Transl Sci. 2015 Oct.

Abstract

Multiinstitutional research collaborations now form the most rapid and productive project execution structures in the health sciences. Effective adoption of a multidisciplinary team research approach is widely accepted as one mechanism enabling rapid translation of new discoveries into interventions in human health. Although the impact of successful team-based approaches facilitating innovation has been well-documented, its utility for training a new generation of scientists has not been thoroughly investigated. We describe the characteristics of how multidisciplinary translational teams (MTTs) promote career development of translational research scholars through competency building, interprofessional integration, and team-based mentoring approaches. Exploratory longitudinal and outcome assessments from our experience show that MTT membership had a positive effect on the development of translational research competencies, as determined by a self-report survey of 32 scholars. We also observed that all trainees produced a large number of collaborative publications that appeared to be associated with their CTSA association and participation with MTTs. We conclude that the MTT model provides a unique training environment for translational and team-based learning activities, for investigators at early stages of career development.

Keywords: Clinical Translational Science Award (CTSA); early career investigators; interdisciplinary science; team-science education; translational research competencies.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic of member groups within the MTT, with emphasis on early‐career investigators (Assistant Professors), shown in the gray filled ellipse. Other MTT members and member groups are shown in additional ellipses around the circumference of the main MTT circle. The designation as Project Manager for some early‐career investigators allows development of team leadership and administrative skills, as previously presented.3, 29
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Rosenfield PL. The potential of transdisciplinary research for sustaining and extending linkages between the health and social‐sciences. Soc Sci Med. 1992; 35(11): 1343–1357. - PubMed
    1. Wuchty S, Jones BF, Uzzi B. The increasing dominance of teams in production of knowledge. Science (Washington, DC). 2007; 316(5827): 1036–1039. - PubMed
    1. Calhoun WJ, Wooten K, Bhavnani S, Anderson KE, Freeman JE, Brasier AR. The CTSA as an exemplar framework for developing multidisciplinary translational teams. Clin Transl Sci. 2013; 60(1): 60–71. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Zerhouni EA. US biomedical research: basic, translational, and clinical sciences. JAMA. 2005; 294(11): 1352–1358. - PubMed
    1. Leshner AI, Terry SF, Schultz AM, Liverman CT, eds. The CTSA Program at NIH: Opportunities for Advancing Clinical and Translational Research. Washington DC: National Academy of Sciences; 2013. - PubMed

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources