Clinical and Translational Research Studios

Abstract

The Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research implemented the “Studio” Program in 2007 to bring together experts to provide free, structured, project-specific feedback for medical researchers. Studios are a series of integrated, dynamic, and interactive roundtable discussions that bring relevant research experts from diverse academic disciplines together to focus on a specific research project at a specific stage. Vanderbilt’s Clinical and Translational Science Award supports the program, which is designed to improve the quality and impact of biomedical research. In this article, the authors describe the program’s design, and they provide an evaluation of its first four years. After an investigator completes a brief online studio application, a studio “manager” reviews the request, assembles a panel of 3 to 6 experts (research faculty from multiple disciplines), and circulates the pre-review materials electronically. Investigators can request one of seven studio formats: hypothesis generation, study design, grant review, implementation, analysis and interpretation, manuscript review, or translation. A studio moderator leads each studio session, managing the time (90 minutes) and discussion to optimize the usefulness of the session for the investigator. Feedback from the 157 studio sessions in the first four years has been overwhelmingly positive. Investigators have indicated that their studios have improved the quality of their science (99%; 121/122 responses), and experts have reported that the studios have been a valuable use of their time (98%; 398/406 responses). To achieve the health goals of the 21st century, researchers from multiple disciplines must bridge their differences and together address the challenging problems that face us. -- The Institute of Medicine, 20011

Bringing it home: expanding the local reach of dissemination and implementation training via a university-based workshop

“…In addition, the CCTSI launched a Research Studio Program to provide targeted, structured, and collaborative discussion with multi-disciplinary experts addressing specific questions at a specific stage in the research process. Modeled after the program developed by Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research [ 65 ], it provides the opportunity for new and experienced D&I researchers to receive the tailored in-depth feedback they desire. The CCTSI Community Engagement Core also provides individual consultation and immersion training on best practices in conducting community-based participatory research.…”

The Rockefeller University Navigation Program: A Structured Multidisciplinary Protocol Development and Educational Program to Advance Translational Research

“…In addition to the Navigation program, we try to lower the barrier for basic scientists to conduct clinical research by supporting a Research Hospitalist and Research Nurse Practitioner who can help with the medical aspects of studies developed by PhD investigators, place physician-scientist Clinical Scholar trainees in labs led by basic investigators, and support a pilot project awards program. Some of the elements of our Navigation program are similar to the “Studio” program developed by the Vanderbilt CTSA, 2 but whereas that program assembles 3-6 faculty research experts from diverse academic disciplines to meet with an investigator, our program is broader in its multidisciplinary representation and tightly focused on the goal of producing a final protocol.…”

Best Practices for Biostatistical Consultation and Collaboration in Academic Health Centers

“…These walk-in consultations are an efficient way to handle simple statistical questions, but may also develop into long-term collaborations. Some biostatistics units (e.g., Vanderbilt, Indiana University, and University of Michigan) participate in interdisciplinary study design meetings or “studios” that include a biostatistician as well as clinical and basic science researchers, coordinators, regulatory experts, and biomedical informatics specialists (Byrne et al, 2012; Denne et al, 2013). These studios are not only educational but also clearly demonstrate the value of a team approach to the investigator.…”