CLINICAL RESEARCH. Our researchers deserve credit for the excellent results of the ALF evaluation. The excellent conditions for clinical research created jointly by Region Västra Götaland and the University of Gothenburg have also contributed greatly to the outcome. That is the message from Pro-Dean Henrik Hagberg.
Results of the ALF (Agreement for Cooperation on Medical Education and Research) evaluation at the end of March clearly indicated that ALF region Västra Götaland remains at the top, now along with Uppsala. “The good grade in the evaluation signifies the great achievement for our researchers,” says Pro-Dean Henrik Hagberg:
“We have several outstanding and productive clinical researchers who truly deserve the evaluation’s praise. Faculty Management takes great pride in the cadre of talented clinical researchers in our ranks, and we want to do everything possible to retain them.”
Lessons to learn
In the previous evaluation, Västra Götaland also received the top rating, which resulted in extra ALF funding. Since the evaluation considers the quality of performance in relation to the ALF funds available, ALF region Västra Götaland had to step up in several ways to maintain its position.
Amidst the exhilaration over the latest good grade, both the University and the region already have begun thinking about the next evaluation. There are lessons to be learned from the evaluation, which identifies areas where there is room for improvement.
The evaluation grades all seven regions with ALF collaboration in three different panels on a three-point scale (poor quality, good-to-high quality, and very high quality). The middle grade, good-to-high quality, means that the region meets expectations in relation to the amount of ALF funding it receives. Västra Götaland received the highest grade, very high quality, in two of the three panels, meaning that its performance exceeds expectations.
Highest percentage of cited researchers
Västra Götaland received the highest grade on the first panel, which focused on the quality of scientific output. Since Västra Götaland receives a comparatively large amount of ALF funds, 83 articles published after the last evaluation were submitted for assessment. The panel determines the percentage of researchers in the seven ALF regions who are among those cited most often, the absolute most cited percentage, and the top 10 percent.
“Of the most cited clinical research articles among the top one percent, most are written in ALF region Västra Götaland. Our researchers rank second with respect to the top 10 percent of most-cited articles,” says Henrik Hagberg. “This objective measure shows the high quality of clinical research in our region, both from a national and international perspective.”
The top cited articles in our ALF region include articles related to diabetes, obesity, obstetrics and gynecology, clinical neurochemistry, orthopedics, gastroenterology, and surgery.
“Our research is very successful in broad clinical fields, which is a great strength in itself for the region and the faculty.”
The improvement potential for scientific output quality identified by the Swedish Research Council applies generally to all research in Sweden: develop more collaborations, both nationally and internationally.
“We need to be even better at communicating the great benefits of doing an international postdoc as a fantastic way to expand your networks. One possibility is to begin making contacts during the doctoral period, when graduate students can visit international groups at an early stage. This can lead to a postdoctoral stay after completing a doctoral thesis.”
Good ratings in societal benefits
For panel two, the clinical application and societal benefit of research, Västra Götaland receives very good ratings, particularly regarding antibiotic resistance. The final grade for the panel is good-to-high quality.
“In this case, we did not receive the same dazzling grade as in the other two panels, but if you read the criticism carefully in the English annex, we note that the feedback we receive is almost exclusively positive,” says Hagberg.
The implementation of the research on uterine transplantation impressed the panel, which also highlighted the research infrastructure in place that was required to take this research all the way from idea to clinical project. However, the panel points out that the research has not yet been translated into broader patient benefits.
“In future evaluations, we might choose broader projects that have an impact on a larger group of patients.”
Make more use of national platforms
The third panel, on research conditions, also gives the highest rating to ALF region Västra Götaland, but it notes opportunities for further improvement. The panel is based in part on surveys of researchers and doctoral students. Doctoral students report, to varying degrees, that there may still be difficulties in obtaining adequate supervision and research time because the medical system’s needs have priority.
“Sahlgrenska University Hospital has done an impressive job in this area and with its organizations. The principle is to overstaff to allow for the use of research time. We know that our clinical doctoral students obtain more research time compared to many other regions, but there are still some problems here,” says Henrik Hagberg.
To make it easier for clinicians to achieve associate professorships earlier in their careers, ALF region Västra Götaland has made important investments in postdoctoral researchers, including salary incentives and calls for more ALF positions for both doctors and other health professions.
“These measures have produced results, and we have increased the number of associate professors by 30 percent, in contrast to a declining trend in other ALF regions.”
Other potential improvements include making better use of the national infrastructures Environmental Social Science (ESS) and MAX IV, hiring more research nurses, and ensuring that more female clinical researchers become professors.
Demanding process
The ALF evaluation required the administrative efforts of about 60 individuals at both Sahlgrenska Academy and Sahlgrenska University Hospital. The handling of materials for panels two and three were particularly time-consuming. A governmental investigation into the ALF system and discussions at the national level on how the evaluation can be modified for the next time are now ongoing to create a more reasonable workload for higher education institutions and regions.
You can read the report in its entirety on the Swedish Research Council’s website (summary in English available).
BY: ELIN LINDSTRÖM
