Many people assume that research is automatically translated into medical practice. In reality, this has not always been the case. Basic scientists are often not trained to think of how their work could be applied in clinical practice, and clinicians are often not trained to develop research studies based on their observations and work. There is a growing focus on resolving this disconnect by emphasizing translational research. In the case of Canadian SCI research, the Rick Hansen Institute is playing an important role in making this happen.

A simple definition of translational research is “applying discoveries generated during research and studies to the development of trials and studies in humans, and, where success has been determined, readying that knowledge in preparation for implementation into practice.”  While this definition helps explain the concept of translational research to the newcomer, it's sometimes necessary to use a more indepth description.

There are many more robust definitions of translational research. The Rick Hansen Institute prefers the definition provided by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR): “the exchange, synthesis and ethically-sound application of knowledge—within a complex system of interactions among researchers and users—to accelerate the capture of the benefits of research for Canadians through improved health, more effective services and products, and a strengthened health care system.”

Additionally, translational research is divided into three categories (T1, T2 and T3) as outlined by US National Institutes of Health, or NIH (Westfall et al 2007).  T1 research activity is the translation of basic research into human studies. The new tests and treatments that lead from T1 research and result in improvements to the bedside through early trials and studies and  into clinical practice through later stage trials and studies are known as T2 research activities. Identification of gaps in care also fall into the T2 category. Dissemination, implementation, incorporation of recommended care and impact measurement collectively fall into the category of T3 research activities.

The Translational Research Program (TRP) of the Rick Hansen Institute invests in all three types of research activities, in the fields of SCI acute care, rehabilitation and community integration. In principle, the Rick Hansen Institute does not fund basic discovery research unless there is a strong case that it is essential for translation into clinical trials. In these special cases, consideration may be given to “back-translational” pre-clinical projects that are intended to prepare or improve a potential clinical study design, and have primary and secondary outcome measures aligned with the national priorities of the Rick Hansen Institute, along with clearly identified potential translational research partners for an imminent clinical trial.