The Funding Crisis in Biomedical Part II-Options for Action
Research,
L
T
HE PREVIOUS research column (Abdellah, 1991) focused on the crisis in funding new biomedical researchers. The extent of the problem was identified-a decline in new investigator awards from 6,400 in 1988 to 4,600 in 1990--and contributing factors were listed: fewer available dollars; multiple applications submitted by individual researchers, thus inflating competition; and lack of a long-range strategy at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Implications of concern to current and future researchers were also discussed, including the real possibility that novice researchers may become an “endangered species. ” What then, can nurse researchers do to increase public awareness of the importance of science and technology, thus assuring the future of scientific endeavors that will benefit humanity? Following are some options for action. Nurse researchers must do a better job of letting society know about the benefits of our research. This means translating research findings into practice that the patient or client can understand as a benefit. Research can improve the quality of life. Nurse researchers can and should tell their stories, stating not only what is new, but also what works better and why. Administrators, deans, and department chairs must give priority to the needs of the new researches. For example, the new nurse researcher could be counselled and assisted in obtaining initial funding from such sources as Sigma Theta Tau, The American Nurses’ Foundation, industry, and private philanthropy. After 1 to 3 years of success, the researcher could be encouraged to apply for investigator awards through the National Center for Nursing Research and other NIH institutes. FAYE G. ABDELLAH, RN,
EDD, ScD,
FAAN
Former Deputy Surgeon General
Industry could be courted to support and invest in new researchers and encouraged to commit 10 per cent of their research and development budget to new researchers. One of the most effective ways of educating Congress about how nursing research can improve the quality of life is to assign a new researcher as a Congressional fellow to assist the staff of a Congressional office. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI) has been a long-time champion of using this approach and at times has had two nurse researchers working in his office. Badly needed is for the federal government, particularly the NIH, to conduct long-range planning across the sciences (both for research and training needs). Plans developed in this decade will affect the future. Nurses must have input into the health policy planning process. The level of funds for new researchers should be specified in balance with funds for senior investigators and research training. Also needed in nursing is a constituency for science and research to communicate to Congress and the public the benefits of nursing research. As nurse researchers we must take responsibility for our own destiny! One way in which this can be accomplished is through participating in such organizations as Reindussearch ! America,* a coalition of universities, try, and philanthropy with one mission: to educate Congress and the public about research. This group forms a powerful alliance for discoveries in health. Nursing can benefit by becoming actively involved in such an alliance.
Reference Abdellah, F. (199 1). The funding crisis in biomedical research, Part I: Addressing the issue. Journal of Professional Nursing, 7, 7.
United States Ptiblic Health Service Department of Health and Human Services Washington, DC 20201
Copyright 0 1991 by W .B. Saunders Company 8755-7223/91/0702-0005$03.00/O
Jownal
of Professional Nursing,
Vol 7, No 2 (March-April),
*For additional information about Research ! America write Suite 250, 99 Canal Center Plaza, Alexandria, VA 22314; (703) 739-2577, Fax (703) 739-2372.
1991: p 75
75
Research,
L
T
HE PREVIOUS research column (Abdellah, 1991) focused on the crisis in funding new biomedical researchers. The extent of the problem was identified-a decline in new investigator awards from 6,400 in 1988 to 4,600 in 1990--and contributing factors were listed: fewer available dollars; multiple applications submitted by individual researchers, thus inflating competition; and lack of a long-range strategy at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Implications of concern to current and future researchers were also discussed, including the real possibility that novice researchers may become an “endangered species. ” What then, can nurse researchers do to increase public awareness of the importance of science and technology, thus assuring the future of scientific endeavors that will benefit humanity? Following are some options for action. Nurse researchers must do a better job of letting society know about the benefits of our research. This means translating research findings into practice that the patient or client can understand as a benefit. Research can improve the quality of life. Nurse researchers can and should tell their stories, stating not only what is new, but also what works better and why. Administrators, deans, and department chairs must give priority to the needs of the new researches. For example, the new nurse researcher could be counselled and assisted in obtaining initial funding from such sources as Sigma Theta Tau, The American Nurses’ Foundation, industry, and private philanthropy. After 1 to 3 years of success, the researcher could be encouraged to apply for investigator awards through the National Center for Nursing Research and other NIH institutes. FAYE G. ABDELLAH, RN,
EDD, ScD,
FAAN
Former Deputy Surgeon General
Industry could be courted to support and invest in new researchers and encouraged to commit 10 per cent of their research and development budget to new researchers. One of the most effective ways of educating Congress about how nursing research can improve the quality of life is to assign a new researcher as a Congressional fellow to assist the staff of a Congressional office. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI) has been a long-time champion of using this approach and at times has had two nurse researchers working in his office. Badly needed is for the federal government, particularly the NIH, to conduct long-range planning across the sciences (both for research and training needs). Plans developed in this decade will affect the future. Nurses must have input into the health policy planning process. The level of funds for new researchers should be specified in balance with funds for senior investigators and research training. Also needed in nursing is a constituency for science and research to communicate to Congress and the public the benefits of nursing research. As nurse researchers we must take responsibility for our own destiny! One way in which this can be accomplished is through participating in such organizations as Reindussearch ! America,* a coalition of universities, try, and philanthropy with one mission: to educate Congress and the public about research. This group forms a powerful alliance for discoveries in health. Nursing can benefit by becoming actively involved in such an alliance.
Reference Abdellah, F. (199 1). The funding crisis in biomedical research, Part I: Addressing the issue. Journal of Professional Nursing, 7, 7.
United States Ptiblic Health Service Department of Health and Human Services Washington, DC 20201
Copyright 0 1991 by W .B. Saunders Company 8755-7223/91/0702-0005$03.00/O
Jownal
of Professional Nursing,
Vol 7, No 2 (March-April),
*For additional information about Research ! America write Suite 250, 99 Canal Center Plaza, Alexandria, VA 22314; (703) 739-2577, Fax (703) 739-2372.
1991: p 75
75
