While many of the details of changes that will take place in the CC over the next five years remain indistinct and are yet to be determined, these three domains: people, places, and capabilities will clearly remain important to the CC's success.
People
A generation of clinical researchers who brought the CC to prominence are in the process of retirement or reducing their clinical research activities. These researchers were supported by CC staff who often spent their entire careers at the NIH. Finding and developing the next generation of great clinical investigators and the staff members who will support them in the CC is a focal point of this plan that can only be accomplished by working with our Institute partners.
Making full use of the existing development programs such as the Medical Research Scholars Program (MRSP) and relationships with academic institutions in the National Capital Region (Washington, D.C., area) are key elements of the strategy. Understanding generational differences with respect to career expectations is another component.
Finally, the CC needs to develop a systematic, intentional retention program that will require us to fully understand the various expectations, desires, and dreams of our talented and dedicated staff members. Continuing to invest in our staff is the foundation of our planning efforts and the future of the CC.
Places
Key operational aspects of healthcare delivery continue to evolve. Conceived as a facility focused almost entirely on inpatients, the CC's outpatient infrastructure was added in the 1980s. This infrastructure which houses not only outpatient clinics but common services used by all investigators such as the Departments of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Perioperative Medicine (Surgery), Transfusion Medicine, and Laboratory Medicine requires replacement. A new Surgery, Radiology, and Laboratory Medicine Wing is on the drawing board.
Conventional imaging suites, operating rooms, and hybrid suites in which invasive procedures can be completed while being guided by one or more imaging methods are all contained in this plan. Cell processing and batch preparation of experimental pharmaceuticals require strict asepsis and the construction and sustainment of specialized facilities designed to meet very stringent standards. Many renovations to existing facilities to meet these higher standards as well as construction activities for new facilities are underway. First-in-human clinical research in the future requires facilities designed to meet more exacting standards as well as extraordinary skill and specialized expertise to maintain the facilities.
Capabilities
Healthcare delivery in the 21st century requires more than updated and new buildings and the replacement of key staff members. Efforts to make the CC a national resource have been underway for a number of years as the CC hosts research projects of outside investigators.
In almost every instance, however, these projects still require the patient to travel to the NIH campus for at least a portion of their evaluation and treatment. While these efforts will be refined and continued, technology now offers many opportunities to extend the reach and influence of the CC both nationally and globally.
To date, these efforts have focused on education, consultation, and collaboration. Employing technologies to provide care remotely for our patient-partners and to facilitate clinical research must be explored.