A roadmap of strategies to support cardiovascular researchers: from policy to practice.

Niamh Chapman, Emma E Thomas, Joanne T M Tan, Sally C Inglis, Jason H Y Wu, Rachel E Climie, Dean S Picone, Lauren C Blekkenhorst, Steven G Wise, Katrina M Mirabito Colafella, Anna C Calkin, Francine Z Marques

Journal: Nature reviews. Cardiology 2022;19(11):765-777

PMID: 35577952

Full Text on Nature Publishing Group View on PubMed

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide. Cardiovascular research has therefore never been more crucial. Cardiovascular researchers must be provided with a research environment that enables them to perform at their highest level, maximizing their opportunities to work effectively with key stakeholders to address this global issue. At present, cardiovascular researchers face a range of challenges and barriers, including a decline in funding, job insecurity and a lack of diversity at senior leadership levels. Indeed, many cardiovascular researchers, particularly women, have considered leaving the sector, highlighting a crucial need to develop strategies to support and retain researchers working in the cardiovascular field. In this Roadmap article, we present solutions to problems relevant to cardiovascular researchers worldwide that are broadly classified across three key areas: capacity building, research funding and fostering diversity and equity. This Roadmap provides opportunities for research institutions, as well as governments and funding bodies, to implement changes from policy to practice, to address the most important factors restricting the career progression of cardiovascular researchers.

Address: Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.; Centre for Online Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.; Centre for Health Services Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.; Vascular Research Centre, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.; Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.; IMPACCT - Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.; The George Institute for Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.; Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.; Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.; Paris Cardiovascular Research Center, Integrative Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Disease, Université de Paris, Paris, France.; Nutrition & Health Innovation Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.; Royal Perth Hospital Research Foundation, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.; Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.; School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.; Department of Physiology and Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.; Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.; Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.; Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.; Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. [email protected].; Hypertension Research Laboratory, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. [email protected].

DOI: 10.1038/s41569-022-00700-1

Link outs

Subscription / membership required

Full Text Sources:

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41569-022-00700-1

MeSH Terms: Female, Humans, Policy, Research Personnel