There is a lot of discussion about “Translational Medicine” but all too often the definition of “translational medicine” is based on technical concepts and terms or insider labels like “T1” and “T2”. The first explanation that is often offered is that translational medicine accelerates the process moving knowledge from “bench to bedside”. While that definition is helpful, I think that it fails to convey the problem or the solution to people who don’t think about research and medicine every day. As a visual person, I take a simpler view, as shown in this video.
There is a mountain of underutilized knowledge. The goal of translational medicine is to use knowledge sooner, use more of it and use it more safely than today.
Translational medicine is an approach; it does not replace “traditional” medicine. Rather, this approach requires closer collaboration between researchers and clinicians. It demands enabling technologies that promote efficient use of resources. It promotes a culture of interdisciplinary innovation. Translational medicine also incorporates measures to ensure that the increased tempo of change is balanced with a focus on safety and efficacy.
The translational medicine approach will:
1 – Reduce the time for new knowledge to reach clinical practice
2 – Increase the amount of knowledge entering practice
3 – Continuously monitor outcomes
Through these changes we can expect:
- Advanced diagnostics that detect disease earlier, with the best opportunity to manage the condition
- Improved knowledge about how to effectively and safely apply existing therapeutics
- Enhancements to medical devices that reduce their cost and improve their benefit to the patient
- A greater variety of choices for patients and health care providers
- A deeper understanding of how changes in patient behavior can lead to improved outcomes
It is important to specify that translational medicine is not:
- Only focused on the long term payoff – many translational advances have emerged through simple changes in clinical processes, modified prescribing strategies or re-purposing of existing medications.
- A gamble – the translational approach, by design, excludes research that has no likelihood of tangible benefit. When translational medicine includes a strong outcomes and patient safety element, it helps reduce and manage risk.
- Limited to developing new drugs – the translational approach is relevant to new diagnostics, new medical devices, surgical procedures and behavioral approaches to patient engagement.
