Viewpoint

The role of academic health science systems in the transformation of medicine

The Clinical Academic Health Centre concept involves one or more health service centres forming a partnership with an academic centre, with a primary objective of leveraging of the strengths of both organisations and to hasten the process of knowledge discovery, with accelerated translation of innovations and research outcomes into clinical practice. The underpinning leadership challenge is the creation of a unified vision and mission, ensuring that strategic direction is aligned to the strategy of the major stakeholders.

Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) TL1 trainees and KL2 scholars were surveyed to determine the immediate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on training and career development. The most negative impact was lack of access to research facilities, clinics, and human subjects, plus for KL2 scholars lack of access to team members and need for homeschooling. TL1 trainees reported having more time to think and write. Common strategies to maintain research productivity involved time management, virtual connections with colleagues, and shifting to research activities not requiring laboratory/clinic settings. Strategies for mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on training and career development are described.