Ogunsanya Motolani E, Beebe Laura A, Campbell Janis E, Holmes Nicole, VanWagoner Timothy, James Judith
Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
TSET Health Promotion Research Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
J Clin Transl Sci. 2025 Jun 18;9(1):e155. doi: 10.1017/cts.2025.10066. eCollection 2025.
Clinical and translational research (CTR) plays a vital role in improving health outcomes, but its success relies heavily on institutional support, infrastructure, and workforce capacity. This study aimed to explore the barriers, needs, and facilitators to conducting CTR in Oklahoma, highlighting both the strengths and gaps within the research ecosystem.
A sequential, descriptive mixed-methods design was employed, combining survey data ( = 164) with four qualitative focus groups ( = 23 total participants). The survey assessed research infrastructure, funding, and workforce needs, while the focus groups explored researchers' lived experiences and institutional challenges. Mixed-methods meta-inference approaches, such as convergence, complementarity, and explanatory integration, were used to identify overlapping and distinct patterns across data strands.
Key barriers included lack of protected research time (23.9%), limited pilot funding (15.3%), and administrative hurdles such as IRB delays. Researchers expressed a strong need for centralized tools to support networking, scientific writing, and data access. Qualitative findings revealed additional needs, such as bridge funding and mentorship, not fully captured in the survey. Facilitators included Oklahoma Shared Clinical and Translational Resources (OSCTR)-supported professional development and mentoring programs, though participants noted a heavy reliance on OSCTR as the primary support source, with few decentralized alternatives.
While CTR infrastructure in Oklahoma has expanded, critical gaps remain in mentorship, data access, and institutional support. To build a more resilient and inclusive research environment, stakeholders should consider investing in decentralized systems, bridge funding, structured mentorship, and collaborative tools tailored to the state's rural, tribal, and academic diversity. These findings may inform policy and strategic planning in Oklahoma and other underserved regions aiming to strengthen CTR capacity.
临床与转化研究（CTR）在改善健康结果方面发挥着至关重要的作用，但其成功在很大程度上依赖于机构支持、基础设施和劳动力能力。本研究旨在探索在俄克拉荷马州开展临床与转化研究的障碍、需求和促进因素，突出研究生态系统中的优势和差距。
采用了一种顺序性、描述性的混合方法设计，将调查数据（n = 164）与四个定性焦点小组（共23名参与者）相结合。该调查评估了研究基础设施、资金和劳动力需求，而焦点小组则探讨了研究人员的实际经历和机构面临的挑战。采用了混合方法元推理方法，如趋同、互补和解释性整合，以识别不同数据链中的重叠和不同模式。
关键障碍包括缺乏受保护的研究时间（23.9%）、有限的试点资金（15.3%）以及诸如机构审查委员会（IRB）延迟等行政障碍。研究人员表示强烈需要集中化工具来支持网络建设、科学写作和数据获取。定性研究结果揭示了其他需求，如过渡性资金和指导，这些在调查中并未完全体现。促进因素包括俄克拉荷马州共享临床与转化资源（OSCTR）支持的专业发展和指导计划，不过参与者指出严重依赖OSCTR作为主要支持来源，几乎没有分散式的替代方案。
虽然俄克拉荷马州的临床与转化研究基础设施有所扩展，但在指导、数据获取和机构支持方面仍存在关键差距。为了建立一个更具弹性和包容性的研究环境，利益相关者应考虑投资于分散式系统、过渡性资金、结构化指导以及针对该州农村、部落和学术多样性量身定制的协作工具。这些发现可能为俄克拉荷马州及其他旨在加强临床与转化研究能力的服务不足地区的政策和战略规划提供参考。
