Member Experiences in an Australian Translational Cancer Research Centre, Sydney Catalyst, and Their Understanding of Translational Research - Abstract
Background: The experience of membership of multidisciplinary translational research collaborations (TRCs) is largely unreported. Sydney Catalyst Translational Cancer Research Centre is a multidisciplinary consortium of researchers and clinicians from institutions in metropolitan Sydney and regional New South Wales, Australia. This study aimed to qualitatively explore the experience of being a member of Sydney Catalyst and to identify members’ understanding of translational research and perceptions of the benefits of membership of a TRC.
Methods: Sydney Catalyst members were purposively sampled for heterogeneity over discipline and seniority and completed individual semi-structured interviews either face-to-face or by telephone. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic text analysis with an inductive, data-driven approach. Trochim’s program logic model was used as a comparator for emergent themes.
Results: Twenty-two members from across T1-3 translational research participated, including healthcare professionals, academic researchers and postgraduate students drawn from multiple biomedical, behavioural and clinical disciplines. Five superordinate themes were identified: 1) Exposure to and understanding of the nature of translational research; 2) Benefits of membership; 3) Participating as a member of a TRC; 4) The role and identity of a TRC; and, 5) Education as a vehicle for collaboration. Feedback about potential improvements to Sydney Catalyst was also received.
Conclusions: Membership in a cancer TRC was viewed as a highly positive experience that facilitates the acquisition of new knowledge beyond the boundaries of a member’s discipline, increases their visibility in the research community, broadens opportunities to network, collaborate, and access translational research funding. The findings suggest that further work is needed to better align clinicians’ and researchers’ understanding of the translational research continuum and the benefits of engaging in a translational research network that foster team science.