Exploring barriers, needs, and facilitators for clinical and translational research in Oklahoma: A sequential mixed-methods study
Abstract Introduction: 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...
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Cambridge University Press
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Translational Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059866125100666/type/journal_article |
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| author | Motolani E. Ogunsanya Laura A. Beebe Janis E. Campbell Nicole Holmes Timothy VanWagoner Judith James |
| author_facet | Motolani E. Ogunsanya Laura A. Beebe Janis E. Campbell Nicole Holmes Timothy VanWagoner Judith James |
| author_sort | Motolani E. Ogunsanya |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Abstract
Introduction:
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.
Methods:
A sequential, descriptive mixed-methods design was employed, combining survey data (n = 164) with four qualitative focus groups (n = 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.
Results:
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.
Conclusions:
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.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ef3ef61c802c4ebe98884f23eb5dbe70 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2059-8661 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Clinical and Translational Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-ef3ef61c802c4ebe98884f23eb5dbe702025-08-20T02:55:25ZengCambridge University PressJournal of Clinical and Translational Science2059-86612025-01-01910.1017/cts.2025.10066Exploring barriers, needs, and facilitators for clinical and translational research in Oklahoma: A sequential mixed-methods studyMotolani E. Ogunsanya0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4005-0446Laura A. Beebe1Janis E. Campbell2https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9577-9122Nicole Holmes3Timothy VanWagoner4Judith James5Department 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, USADepartment of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK, USADepartment of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK, USAOklahoma Clinical & Translational Science Institute and Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK, USAOklahoma Clinical & Translational Science Institute and Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK, USAOklahoma Clinical & Translational Science Institute and Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK, USA Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, USA Abstract Introduction: 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. Methods: A sequential, descriptive mixed-methods design was employed, combining survey data (n = 164) with four qualitative focus groups (n = 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. Results: 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. Conclusions: 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. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059866125100666/type/journal_articleClinical and translational researchbarriersneeds assessmentOklahomamixed-methods research |
| spellingShingle | Motolani E. Ogunsanya Laura A. Beebe Janis E. Campbell Nicole Holmes Timothy VanWagoner Judith James Exploring barriers, needs, and facilitators for clinical and translational research in Oklahoma: A sequential mixed-methods study Journal of Clinical and Translational Science Clinical and translational research barriers needs assessment Oklahoma mixed-methods research |
| title | Exploring barriers, needs, and facilitators for clinical and translational research in Oklahoma: A sequential mixed-methods study |
| title_full | Exploring barriers, needs, and facilitators for clinical and translational research in Oklahoma: A sequential mixed-methods study |
| title_fullStr | Exploring barriers, needs, and facilitators for clinical and translational research in Oklahoma: A sequential mixed-methods study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring barriers, needs, and facilitators for clinical and translational research in Oklahoma: A sequential mixed-methods study |
| title_short | Exploring barriers, needs, and facilitators for clinical and translational research in Oklahoma: A sequential mixed-methods study |
| title_sort | exploring barriers needs and facilitators for clinical and translational research in oklahoma a sequential mixed methods study |
| topic | Clinical and translational research barriers needs assessment Oklahoma mixed-methods research |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059866125100666/type/journal_article |
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