The event, held at the NOVA Medical School's MMM Auditorium, included representation from the Local Health Unit of the Alentejo Coast (ULSLA), through members of its Primary Healthcare Clinical Directorate, the local representative of the European study PRAISE-U+, and a representative from the Health Ethics Commission.
CCAL is a consortium integrating nine institutions, aiming to foster a collaborative ecosystem between education, research, innovation, and healthcare delivery, with the goal of producing scientific knowledge applicable to clinical practice.
During the meeting, various research projects supported by the consortium were presented, including studies on the costs of acute coronary syndrome, the creation of a kidney stone biobank, precision medicine in kidney transplantation, knee osteoarthritis, and the analysis of breast milk from premature newborns.
A round table focused on "The Future of Academic Clinical Centres," where representatives from various national institutions discussed the challenges and opportunities of this organizational model. Topics covered included the need for protected research time, strategies for recruiting and retaining professionals, sustainable funding mechanisms, shared governance models, and accreditation processes.
The discussion also focused on the importance of clinical research structures integrated within public hospitals, aimed at measurable health outcomes, and on building trust relationships and stable policies supporting research.
Results from funding allocated to scientific projects, publications, and a biobank were also presented. Perspectives on the evolution of academic clinical centres towards broader associative models were debated, aiming to strengthen strategic partnerships, attract funding, and consolidate their scientific standing nationally and internationally.
The meeting served as a relevant opportunity for sharing experiences, strategic reflection, and reinforcing collaboration among institutions dedicated to research, innovation, and the continuous improvement of healthcare quality.
