Supplemental educational program to heighten the impact of research – an opportunity for OA imaging

OBJECTIVE: To develop and evaluate a supplementary educational program (“IMPACT”) centered on enabling participants to consider specifically and articulate explicitly the best path for and potential impact of their research. DESIGN: Participants (trainees) and faculty mentors were from all areas of biomedical research. The group worked longitudinally in small, rotating groups, through a process of developing a written statement (“Impact Statement”), an overview (“Impact Storyline”) and an oral presentation (“Impact Case”) of their work. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-seven Fellows enrolled in the program. Of the 179 (96%) Fellows who completed the program, 159 (89%) responded to a post-program survey; 94% indicated that IMPACT was a significant learning experience, 89% indicated that they were more able to identify the long-term potential of their research, 95% felt more able to talk about their work to diverse audiences. CONCLUSION: This voluntary educational program was appreciated by the participants and led to increased confidence in their ability to drive their science towards a clear impact and communicating that potential to others. This type of program may aid in redirecting some of the efforts and resources of imaging in OA from the large focus on technical developments to more direct biological and clinical questions which might be resolved with current technology.