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. 2021 Nov 10;6(1):e8.
doi: 10.1017/cts.2021.875. eCollection 2022.

Clinical and translational research workforce education survey identifies needs of faculty and staff

Tammy L Loucks  1   2 , Jillian Harvey  1   3 , Diana Lee-Chavarria  1 , Rechelle Paranal  1 , Kathleen A Lenert  1   2 , Heather S Bonilha  1   4 , Carol Feghali-Bostwick  1   5
Affiliations

Clinical and translational research workforce education survey identifies needs of faculty and staff

Tammy L Loucks et al. J Clin Transl Sci. .

Abstract

Developing the translational research workforce is a goal established by the National Center for Advancing Translational Science for its network of Clinical and Translational Science Award Program hubs. We surveyed faculty and research staff at our institution about their needs and preferences, utilization of existing trainings, and barriers and facilitators to research training. A total of 545 (21.9%) faculty and staff responded to the survey and rated grant development, research project development, and professional development among their top areas for further training. Faculty prioritized statistical methods and dissemination and implementation, while staff prioritized research compliance and research administration. Faculty (73.9%; n = 119) and staff (87.3%; n = 165) reported that additional training would give them more confidence in completing their job responsibilities. Time and lack of awareness were the most common barriers to training. Our results indicate the value of training across a range of topics with unique needs for faculty and staff. This pre-COVID survey identified time, awareness, and access to training opportunities as key barriers for faculty and staff. The shift to remote work spurred by the pandemic has further heightened the need for effective and readily accessible online trainings to enable continuous development of the clinical and translational research workforce.

Keywords: Professional development; learning preferences; research training; translational research workforce.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Diagram of survey participants.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Distribution of faculty (A) and staff (B) by role in research.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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