Alexander Schulze Wenning

There is an unmet need to translate scientific discoveries into real-world applications. Despite continuous medical advancements, EUROSTAT data reveals that 1.7 million people die annually in Europe, with 1.2 million of these deaths being preventable through better primary prevention and public health interventions. A key barrier to achieving sustainable health is the gap between research and clinical practice, which stems from outdated educational models in both medicine and science (1).

Academia Europaea has introduced a translational cycle model to facilitate the effective integration of scientific knowledge into healthcare (2). This model emphasizes the need for a balanced approach that fosters medical innovation while ensuring that healthcare professionals remain up to date with the latest research. However, current medical education focuses heavily on theoretical knowledge and bedside practice, offering minimal training on how to interpret and apply scientific findings in clinical settings. Similarly, traditional research training often lacks a focus on real-world impact, slowing the translation of discoveries into tangible health benefits.

To address this challenge, we have developed a hybrid Ph.D./healthcare TM program that enables students to engage in scientific research and clinical practice simultaneously. Through a „learning by doing” and „retaining by teaching” approach, students acquire essential skills in critical appraisal, communication, and research methodology, ensuring that they not only consume but actively contribute to medical advancements (3). This model enhances their ability to produce high-impact, clinically relevant research while equipping them with the expertise needed to integrate new knowledge into practice.

For healthcare to become truly sustainable, education in both medicine and science must evolve. Integrating translational medicine principles into training programs will accelerate the implementation of scientific discoveries, leading to better patient outcomes and a more resilient healthcare system. To achieve this, Academia Europaea seeks collaboration with academic and healthcare institutions worldwide, working together to build a future where the newest scientific results are utilized in healthcare.

• Hegyi P, Erőss B, Izbéki F, Párniczky A, Szentesi A. Accelerating the translational medicine cycle: the Academia Europaea pilot. Nat Med. 2021 Aug;27(8):1317-1319. doi: 10.1038/s41591-021-01458-8. PMID: 34312557.
• Hegyi P, Petersen OH, Holgate S, Erőss B, Garami A, Szakács Z, Dobszai D, Balaskó M, Kemény L, Peng S, Monteiro J, Varró A, Lamont T, Laurence J, Gray Z, Pickles A, FitzGerald GA, Griffiths CEM, Jassem J, Rusakov DA, Verkhratsky A, Szentesi A. Academia Europaea Position Paper on Translational Medicine: The Cycle Model for Translating Scientific Results into Community Benefits. J Clin Med. 2020 May 19;9(5):1532. doi: 10.3390/jcm9051532. PMID: 32438747; PMCID: PMC7290380.
• Hegyi P, Varró A. Systems education can train the next generation of scientists and clinicians. Nat Med. 2024 Dec;30(12):3399-3400. doi: 10.1038/s41591-024-03315-w. PMID: 39420217.