Letter from the JCTS Editor

Christopher Lindsell, Ph.D

Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Clinical and Translational Science (JCTS)

Colleagues,

Sometimes, it can be difficult to start writing. I have recently begun turning to your AI of choice to ask for initial content drafts. It’s a rather steep learning curve, training myself how to communicate in a way that elicits meaningful and accurate content. I have been rapidly consuming every trick and tidbit on prompt engineering, from specifying personas to formatting output. I am slowly becoming a master of redirection, but I mostly fail to nail it the first time. I persist because I don’t want to miss out on those great promises of which I hear.

As pride in my prompt engineering skills develops, I have started to reflect that maybe I am missing the point. It isn’t my ‘prompt engineering’ skills that are being honed. It is my basic communication skills. Interacting with AI via simple text and file upload interfaces over the past month or two, I have started paying much closer attention to who is the giver and who is the receiver of information, relevant context for the information, the necessary baseline knowledge, and how to set expectations for output. It seems these are fundamental to any good communication. I am hoping that by being reminded of this each time I interact with AI, I will become a more effective communicator – especially when communicating across a range of different communities. In an attempt to learn more quickly, each time my prompt fails to provide the expected output I ask AI how I could have improved my request, another reminder to check in with colleagues to ask them the same question.

Anyway, below is AI’s contribution to this newsletter. Please take note of the May 27 deadline for the thematic issue on Advancing Understanding and Use of Impact Measures in Implementation Science

Colleagues,

In today’s fast-paced and intricately connected world, the art of communication has never been more vital. Clear communication is not just about the transmission of information; it's equally about listening, understanding, and engaging with diverse perspectives. In the realm of scientific discovery and clinical advancements, where the complexity of ideas often challenges the clarity of expression, our commitment to fostering a culture of open dialogue and insightful exchange becomes paramount. This philosophy underpins all that we do at the Journal of Clinical and Translational Science (JCTS), guiding us as we strive to bridge the gap between research and practice, and as we work to illuminate the path from bench to bedside.

In the past two months, we have embarked on several initiatives aimed at elevating the operational efficiency, promoting equity in publishing, and supporting the professional development of our contributors and editorial team. One initiative I am excited to share is that we are expanding the way we are evaluating our systems and processes, with a comprehensive revamp of our journal dashboard to streamline operations and enhance transparency. This effort will enable us to better monitor submissions, track the review process, and analyze data related to equity in publishing, ensuring our practices are fair and inclusive.

Looking ahead, the thematic issue on "Advancing Understanding and Use of Impact Measures in Implementation Science" will close to new manuscripts on May 27. We invite submissions that explore innovative approaches, methodologies, and theoretical frameworks in implementation science. This issue represents an opportunity for researchers and practitioners to share their work with a broad audience of clinical and translational researchers.

I express my deepest gratitude to our community for your ongoing support and contributions to the JCTS. Together, we are not just disseminating knowledge; we are shaping the future of healthcare.

Etc…

It’s close. Only three meaningless paragraphs were deleted. It seems that becoming facile with AI will remain a work in progress for some time. Yet it is an exciting time. I don’t know where the journey will take us, but I expect it has a lot of unimagined lessons, not least in revolutionizing how we do clinical and translational research. When you seek to publish your learnings from such experiments, don’t forget the Journal of Clinical and Translational Science.

Core Activities at TS24

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Wednesday, April 3

Washington Update and Advocacy Training - 9:45 AM
Trainee Networking Luncheon - 12:15 PM

Thursday, April 4

Speed Mentoring - 9:30 AM
Mock Study - 12:30 PM

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News from the Hill

Congress continues to work on final Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 appropriations bills ahead of the expiration of a laddered continuing appropriations resolution (CR) funding core parts of the federal government until March 1^st and March 8^th. At this point, negotiations are largely focused on thorny policy riders and divisive political issues, and largely taking place at the leadership level between the parties and the chambers.

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Register now to save your spot at the premier translational science and clinical research meeting, hosted for the first time in Las Vegas. Don’t miss the chance to bump shoulders with colleagues new and old.

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Translational Science Today

Closing the Clinical Trials Disparity Gap

Getting sufficient representation of racial and ethnic minority populations in clinical trials remains a pervasive challenge, despite concerted efforts by researchers and mandates set by funding sources and regulatory agencies. A lack of diversity in research results in continued disparities and poorer health outcomes in underrepresented communities.

News From The Hill