By Jordana Vieira – Ascom/LAIS

Scientific research with the potential to produce technologies that have the impact of transforming, making everyday processes in society more functional, is fundamental in developing countries, as is the case of Brazil. It was reflecting on this problematic that the doctoral work of researcher Nadja Mayrink arose, a result of international cooperation of the Laboratory for Technological Innovation in Health (LAIS/UFRN), through the revELA Project, with the University of Coimbra, Portugal.

Given the relevance of this scientific contribution, some results were published, in article format, in the journal Frontiers in Digital Health, of multidisciplinary character and international reach. The text entitled “Translational Research in Health Technologies: A Scoping Review”, proposes to discuss one of the biggest current challenges for universities, the translation of research, in relation to technological innovation processes in health. This process consists in making available to society, through products and processes, the knowledge generated by the research carried out. In other words, making a practical application of what was done in scientific research.

According to Nadja Mayrink, in general, in the process of creating the article, the authors explored the scientific literature specialized in debating the theme, systematized the characteristics that integrate health technology research, and, finally, pointed out a set of competencies necessary for researchers and institutions that work in health innovation.

Based on the mapping of the challenges faced by the Brazilian health system to practically implement health research, the main objective of this article is to contribute to the strengthening of health innovation in Brazil. Above all, it contributes to the creation of institutional strategies and public policies aimed at solving social and economic challenges in a way that guarantees access to technologies and the sustainability of the health system.

Nadja also pointed out that she sees great relevance in the publication of her article in a scientific journal with international reach. “This publication may contribute to the design of institutional strategies and public policies that aim to develop competencies in order to meet clinical and management needs that stress the Brazilian health system, and to raise the level of innovation in health in the country,” she said.

The executive coordinator of LAIS, and also one of the authors of the research, Ricardo Valentim, points out that “translational research in the health field has a very relevant role, because it allows the incorporation of technologies that will produce impacts and transform society. So, it brings a set of knowledge that allows health systems to respond timely to health problems.”

Besides the main author, the article had the following researchers as authors: Luís Alcoforado; Arthur Chioro; Felipe Fernandes; Thaisa S. Lima; Erika B. Camargo and Ricardo Valentim.