The Translational Science Benefits Model: A New Framework for Assessing the Health and Societal Benefits of Clinical and Translational Sciences

TLDR

The authors develop the Translational Science Benefits Model (TSBM) to enable institutions to assess clinical and community health impacts of translational research beyond bibliometric metrics. TSBM comprises 30 measurable indicators derived through literature review, a modified Delphi process, and expert panel feedback. Three case studies demonstrate the model’s feasibility and face validity for identifying translational science–driven health impacts.

Abstract

Abstract We report the development of the Translational Science Benefits Model (TSBM), a framework designed to support institutional assessment of clinical and translational research outcomes to measure clinical and community health impacts beyond bibliometric measures. The TSBM includes 30 specific and potentially measurable indicators that reflect benefits that accrue from clinical and translational science research such as products, system characteristics, or activities. Development of the TSBM was based on literature review, a modified Delphi method, and in‐house expert panel feedback. Three case studies illustrate the feasibility and face validity of the TSBM for identification of clinical and community health impacts that result from translational science activities. Future plans for the TSBM include further pilot testing and a resource library that will be freely available for evaluators, translational scientists, and academic institutions who wish to implement the TSBM framework in their own evaluation efforts.