The future of cardiovascular research / N. Williams & J. Anderson.

  • Williams, Nigel, 1944-1992.
Date:
1993
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: The future of cardiovascular research / N. Williams & J. Anderson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    8/40 (page 4)
    This report presents the results of an opinion survey of 309 UK cardiovascular scientists on a number of issues concerning the future of the field. The issues explored in the survey focused on the concerns of a wide range of 'stakeholders1 in cardiovascular research including scientists, health managers and the industrial 'users' of academic science. Key representatives of these interest groups were interviewed about their views on the future of cardiovascular research before the survey, to develop the questions which were subsequently put to the scientific community. Such large-scale surveys of opinion do not traditionally form part of the process of developing priorities for a research field, and this study was therefore undertaken as an experiment to assess the usefulness of such an approach. The aim was to develop a novel survey method, which might be transferable to other fields of science, to help broaden consultation in the policy-making process. This is a key goal of research foresight, a goal central to the broader project, of which this survey is one component. The results provide some clear findings that may be helpful in developing future policies for cardiovascular research, even though consensus of opinion was not always apparent (or expected). Among the key findings were: • A strong expectation that substantial scientific advances would be made over the next five years, leading to improved understanding in three fields of cardiovascular research, namely: 1. the functions of the vascular endothelium 2. the mechanisms of atherogenesis 3. the molecular genetics of cardiovascular disease • A widespread perception that these promising areas will only be exploited in the UK if a change is brought about in the skills profile of the present cardiovascular research community. Notably, it is felt that more molecular biology skills are needed in the field. • Support from a majority of respondents for the establishment of a small number of multidisciplinary research centres, as opposed to a centralised national institute. • Support also from a majority of respondents on the need for a national centre to coordinate and disseminate research results. • Strong agreement on the need for better evaluation of new treatment technologies before introduction to clinical practice. • A broad-based desire for initiatives to increase interdisciplinary collaboration. More generally, this survey has revealed that it is possible to combine the interests of both users and research practitioners when reviewing policy options for a field of science.