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. 2025 Aug 13:13:1560751.
doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1560751. eCollection 2025.

Demonstrating public health impacts of translational science at the clinical and translational science collaborative (CTSC) of northern Ohio: a mixed-methods approach using the translational science benefits model

Lixin Zhang  1 , Umut A Gurkan  2 , Kelli Qua  3 , Shannon Swiatkowski  1 , Sheree Hemphill  1 , Clara M Pelfrey  1
Affiliations

Demonstrating public health impacts of translational science at the clinical and translational science collaborative (CTSC) of northern Ohio: a mixed-methods approach using the translational science benefits model

Lixin Zhang et al. Front Public Health. .

Abstract

The Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) program, funded by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), aims to accelerate the translation of research into public health impacts. However, measuring the societal impact of translational research poses challenges due to extended timelines for implementation. This study uses the Translational Science Benefits Model (TSBM) to evaluate the societal impact of CTSA-supported research at the Clinical and Translational Science Collaborative (CTSC) of Northern Ohio at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU). Using the TSBM, we asked how investigators have used the CTSC to demonstrate translational science impacts in public health practice both domestically and internationally. Using a mixed methods approach, this study analyzed TSBM-based survey data from CTSC-supported KL2 Scholars and Pilot Program awardees, along with key publications and interviews, to document societal benefits across four TSBM domains: Clinical & Medical, Community & Public Health, Economic, and Policy & Legislative. Findings demonstrate that CTSC-supported research improved public health by enhancing healthcare access, improving health outcomes, informing policy, and generating economic benefits. These impacts span local, national, and global contexts. By applying a mixed methods approach, we demonstrate the value of using the TSBM not just as an evaluative framework, but as a strategic tool for capturing the real-world significance of translational science. This approach strengthens the ability of CTSA hubs to highlight the broader public value of their work, reinforcing the CTSA program's mission to transform scientific discoveries into lasting health and societal benefits.

Keywords: impact evaluation; mixed method research; policy; public health; translational science; translational science benefits model (TSBM); translational science case studies.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart of translational science benefits model (TSBM) survey and semi-structured interviews. N: Total number of participants invited to complete the survey. n: Total number of survey respondents. nTSBM: Number of survey respondents who reported at least one TSBM benefit. TTSBM: Total number of TSBM benefits reported by the group. nPH: Number of survey respondents addressing public health.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Demonstrated TSBM benefits from CTSC-supported 26 KL2 scholars and 36 pilot program awardees.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Community living in the era of COVID-19 (A) and navigating doctor visits in the era of COVID-19 (B).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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