Why Publish? Public Health Translation Research Eric Tai, MD MS Comprehensive Cancer Control Branch Division of Cancer Prevention and Control Centers for Disease Control and Prevention "The findings and conclusions in this presentation are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."

Agenda Define translational research Describe need for translational research Provide tips for writing and publishing translational research

Background: Translational Research Transforming scientific discoveries into population-based applications to improve health Covers wide spectrum of disciplines: –Basic Science: interface between basic science and clinical medicine –Public Health: ensuring new research knowledge reaches the populations for whom they are intended and are implemented correctly Woolf, JAMA 2008, Translational Working Group 2006

Lack of Public Health Translation Institute of Medicine highlighted low rate of adoption and implementation Research findings do not assure good practice Little is known on effective methods of dissemination, adoption, and implementation of interventions IOM, “Crossing the Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century” 2003 Glasgow 2003, Johnson 1996, Oldenburg 1999

Evidence and Translational Research Greatest benefit of interventions correlated with evidenced based approach Lessons learned from translation should feedback into the science that formulated the intervention Davis 2003 Research Knowledge Public Health Intervention Lessons Learned

Evidence and Translational Research: Practice Guidelines Synthesize a body of evidence Offer guidance of public health program decision making Help shape public health decisions Davis 2003, Maibach 2006 Research Knowledge Public Health Intervention Lessons Learned

Practice Guidelines: The Community Guide Evidence based recommendations –Made by Task Force –Based on systematic reviews of evidence Information on: –Interventions –Populations/Settings –Costs –Benefits/Harms –Research

Evidence and Translational Research: Lessons Learned Gap in the literature Davis 2003, Maibach 2006 Research Knowledge Public Health Intervention Lessons Learned

Publishing Public Health Translational Research

What to Publish on? Public health interventions you are involved in Research gaps in the literature Personal interests

Content to Include in Translation Research Organizational and structural support Clear process for stakeholder selection, interaction, and collaboration Incentives and policies Appropriate engagement with the target population Formal monitoring and evaluation of the activity Oldenburg, 1996

Writing Tips Organize the manuscript I Introduction IIMethods IIIResults IVDiscussion State the theme and rationale Document the methods systematically Explain why your results are important Report limitations of your project Provenzale AJR 2006

Publishing Tips Have other colleagues review manuscript Send your manuscript to the right journal Incorporate reviewer’s suggestions into revised manuscript Be persistent Stewart, APA 2009, Provenzale AJR 2006

Journals: Preventing Chronic Disease Peer reviewed electronic journal Mission is to address interface between applied prevention research and public health practice Forum for public health researchers to share practical experiences and results

Journals: Public Health Reports Peer reviewed journal Practice Articles –Describe innovative public health programs, initiatives, and outcomes –Word limit of 4000 words

Journals: American Journal of Public Health Peer reviewed journal Field Action Reports –Report on practice-based programs and initiatives with potential to advance the public's health –Word limit of 1000 words

Louisiana’s Comprehensive Cancer Control Program and Hurricane Katrina

Louisiana’s Comprehensive Cancer Control Program and Hurricane Katrina: Outline

Louisiana’s Comprehensive Cancer Control Program: Recommendations Williams et al. PCD 2009 Decentralize comprehensive cancer control planning and functions Build strong partnerships outside local area Build redundancy into communication plans Use internet-based communication during disaster Issue adequate equipment in event of evacuation

Potential Collaborators on Manuscripts Scientific/Medical Advisory Board of your organization Division of Cancer Prevention and Control

Questions?

Discussion What experience do you have in publishing? What sources do you access/use to find information on interventions? Have you presented an abstract at a conference that could be written as a manuscript? What projects/interventions that you currently work on could potentially be published? What topics are you interested in publishing on?