Understanding translational education research and its implications in medical education

Translational research (TR) aids in transforming research findings into practical actions by studying and promoting the movement of findings from bench research into clinical care. This need for health research to ensure that research knowledge, new diagnostics and treatments reach populations for whom they are intended is also a pressing need for medical education research (Translational education research). To ensure that new knowledge from research and educational innovations actually reach the medical students for whom they are intended is the primary goal of translational education research in the field of medicine. The same model of TR can be applied to medical education through the three seamless phases to achieve the desired educational impact. Meaningful strategies can be developed for effective translation of empirical research findings along with careful assessment of limiting factors and potential opportunities that can constrain, inhibit or support evidence use. The objective of this paper is to describe translational education research in context to its origin and evolution, and to explore its use in medical education.