Translation and Impact of Funded Australian Cardiovascular Research: A Review With Perspective

Alexis J Hure; Shanthi Ramanathan; Simon Deeming; Gemma A Figtree; Garry Jennings; Jacqui Webster; Rachael L Morton; Julie Redfern; Kerry Doyle; Stephen J Nicholls; Stephanie Blows; Catherine Kellick; Martin McNamara; Andrew Searles

doi:10.1016/j.hlc.2021.04.025

Translation and Impact of Funded Australian Cardiovascular Research: A Review With Perspective

Heart Lung Circ. 2021 Oct;30(10):1442-1448. doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2021.04.025. Epub 2021 Jun 3.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Health Research Economics, Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), Newcastle, NSW, Australia; School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: Alexis.Hure@newcastle.edu.au.
² Health Research Economics, Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), Newcastle, NSW, Australia; School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
³ Kolling Institute, Sydney Medical School (Northern), Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
⁴ Sydney Health Partners, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
⁵ Food Policy Division, The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
⁶ Health Economics & Health Technology Assessment, NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
⁷ Westmead Applied Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Cardiovascular Division, The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
⁸ Australian Cardiovascular Alliance, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
⁹ MonashHeart, Monash Health, Melbourne, Vic, Australia; Victorian Heart Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.
¹⁰ Office of Health and Medical Research, NSW Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
¹¹ Sax Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

PMID: 34090796
DOI: 10.1016/j.hlc.2021.04.025

Abstract

This aim of this paper is to set the scene for the need for impact assessment and return on investment in funded cardiovascular research in Australia, starting with the historical perspective on waste in health and medical research. Recently there has been a substantial move from discussion and policy about the need for research translation, into practice and application via the evolution of funding streams like the Australian Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF). Health and medical research funders play a critical role in both setting the expectations for research translation and impact and helping researchers to meet these expectations. As a leading cause of death, cardiovascular disease is a national health priority, recognised as such with a AUD$220 million MRFF allocation to the Cardiovascular Health Mission. Focussing on cardiovascular research, we address some of the barriers researchers face in prospectively planning for research translation and impact assessment, and call for an ecosystem that supports a return on investment for all stakeholders, especially the community and patient end-users.

Keywords: Cardiovascular; Economic; Funding; Health; Impact assessment; Medicine; Research; Return on investment; Translation; Value.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Australia / epidemiology
Biomedical Research*
Ecosystem
Financial Management*
Humans
Research Personnel