scholarly journals Health research capacity building of health workers in fragile and conflict-affected settings: a scoping review of challenges, strengths, and recommendations

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rania Mansour ◽  
Hady Naal ◽  
Tarek Kishawi ◽  
Nassim El Achi ◽  
Layal Hneiny ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Capacity Building ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Research Capacity Building ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Background Fragile and conflict-affected settings (FCAS) have a strong need to improve the capacity of local health workers to conduct health research in order to improve health policy and health outcomes. Health research capacity building (HRCB) programmes are ideal to equip health workers with the needed skills and knowledge to design and lead health-related research initiatives. The study aimed to review the characteristics of HRCB studies in FCASs in order to identify their strengths and weaknesses, and to recommend future directions for the field. Methods We conducted a scoping review and searched four databases for peer-reviewed articles that reported an HRCB initiative targeting health workers in a FCAS and published after 2010. Commentaries and editorials, cross-sectional studies, presentations, and interventions that did not have a capacity building component were excluded. Data on bibliographies of the studies and HRCB interventions and their outcomes were extracted. A descriptive approach was used to report the data, and a thematic approach was used to analyse the qualitative data. Results Out of 8822 articles, a total of 20 were included based on the eligibility criteria. Most of the initiatives centred around topics of health research methodology (70%), targeted an individual-level capacity building angle (95%), and were delivered in university or hospital settings (75%). Ten themes were identified and grouped into three categories. Significant challenges revolved around the lack of local research culture, shortages in logistic capability, interpersonal difficulties, and limited assessment and evaluation of HRCB programmes. Strengths of HRCB interventions included being locally driven, incorporating interactive pedagogies, and promoting multidisciplinary and holistic training. Common recommendations covered by the studies included opportunities to improve the content, logistics, and overarching structural components of HRCB initiatives. Conclusion Our findings have important implications on health research policy and related capacity building efforts. Importantly, FCASs should prioritize (1) funding HRCB efforts, (2) strengthening equitable international, regional, and national partnerships, (3) delivering locally led HRCB programmes, (4) ensuring long-term evaluations and implementing programmes at multiple levels of the healthcare system, and (5) adopting engaging and interactive approaches.

Academic and institutional 'one health' research capacity building.

2021 ◽  
pp. 368-381
Author(s):  
Christopher Oura ◽  
Kathryn C. Conlon ◽  
Woutrina Smith ◽  
Craig Stephen ◽  
Barry Blakley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Capacity Building ◽  
Health Research ◽  
One Health ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Research Capacity Building

Rural Research Capacity Building Program: capacity building outcomes

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Webster ◽  
Margaret Thomas ◽  
Narelle Ong ◽  
Linda Cutler
Keyword(s):  
Capacity Building ◽  
Workforce Development ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Research Capacity Building ◽  
Research Skills ◽  
Limited Effectiveness ◽  
Building Program ◽  
Capacity Building Program

The Rural Research Capacity Building Program commenced in 2006 with the aim of developing research skills in rural health workers. The program was based on the capacity building principles of workforce development, organisational development, resource allocation, partnership and leadership. Qualitative methods were used to assess capacity building outcomes. A sample of candidates from the 2006 and 2007 cohorts were selected for interview using stratified random sampling and supplemental purposive sampling. Twenty-five individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with candidates, their managers and mentors. Interviews were thematically analysed. The program components of teaching, mentoring and networking led to the development of research skills in candidates undertaking the program. This workforce development resulted in workplace change, particularly where the candidate’s project was ‘close to practice’ and they had management support. The leadership shown and partnerships developed by the program managers enhanced the workforce development and organisational change outcomes. Resources, such as backfill and incidentals, were useful for candidates, but practicalities, such as availability of replacement staff, limited effectiveness. This study showed the value of using a capacity building framework and demonstrated that undertaking research on a topic close to practice positioned candidates to drive change within their organisation.

scholarly journals Evaluating Health Research Capacity Building: An Evidence-Based Tool

PLoS Medicine ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 3 (8) ◽  
pp. e299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Imelda Bates ◽  
Alex Yaw Osei Akoto ◽  
Daniel Ansong ◽  
Patrick Karikari ◽  
George Bedu-Addo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Capacity Building ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Research Capacity Building

scholarly journals Impact of health research on advances in knowledge, research capacity-building and evidence-informed policies: a case study on maternal mortality and morbidity in Brazil

2016 ◽  
Vol 134 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonia Angulo-Tuesta ◽  
Leonor Maria Pacheco Santos ◽  
Daniel Alves Natalizi
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Maternal Mortality ◽  
Capacity Building ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Research Capacity Building ◽  
H Index ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Principal Investigators ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT: CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: National health research systems aim to generate high-quality knowledge so as to maintain and promote the population's health. This study aimed to analyze the impact of maternal mortality/morbidity research funded by the Brazilian Ministry of Health and institutional partners, on the dimensions: advancing in knowledge, research capacity-building and informing decision-making, within the framework of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. DESIGN AND SETTING: Descriptive study based on secondary data, conducted at a public university. METHODS: The advancing in knowledge dimension was estimated from the principal investigators' publication counts and h-index. Data on research capacity-building were obtained from the Ministry of Health's information system. The informing decision-making dimension was analyzed from citations in Stork Network (Rede Cegonha) documents. RESULTS: Between 2002 and 2010, R$ 21.6 million were invested in 128 maternal mortality/morbidity projects. Over this period, the principal investigators published 174 articles, resulting in an h-index of 35, thus showing progress in the advancing in knowledge dimension. Within the research capacity-building dimension, training of 71 students (undergraduate/postgraduate) was observed. Progress in the informing decision-making dimension was modest: 73.5% of the 117 citations in the Stork Network documents were institutional documents and norms. One of the projects funded, the 2006/7 National Demography and Health Survey, was cited in program documents. CONCLUSION: Impacts were shown in the advancing in knowledge and research capacity-building dimensions. The health research system needs to incorporate research for evidence-informed policies.

scholarly journals Mental health research in Botswana: a semi-systematic scoping review

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (10) ◽  
pp. 030006052096645
Author(s):  
Philip R. Opondo ◽  
Anthony A. Olashore ◽  
Keneilwe Molebatsi ◽  
Caleb J. Othieno ◽  
James O. Ayugi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Full Text ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Mental Health Research ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
The Usa

Mental and substance use disorders are a leading cause of disability worldwide. Despite this, there is a paucity of mental health research in low- and middle-income countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. We carried out a semi-systematic scoping review to determine the extent of mental health research in Botswana. Using a predetermined search strategy, we searched the databases Web of Science, PubMed, and EBSCOhost (Academic Search Complete, CINAHL with Full Text, MEDLINE, MEDLINE with Full Text, MLA International Bibliography, Open Dissertations) for articles written in English from inception to June 2020. We identified 58 studies for inclusion. The most researched subject was mental health aspects of HIV/AIDS, followed by research on neurotic and stress-related disorders. Most studies were cross-sectional and the earliest published study was from 1983. The majority of the studies were carried out by researchers affiliated to the University of Botswana, followed by academic institutions in the USA. There seems to be limited mental health research in Botswana, and there is a need to increase research capacity.

scholarly journals 'We need more big trees as well as the grass roots’: Going beyond research capacity building to develop sustainable careers in mental health research in African countries

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Langhaug ◽  
Helen Jack ◽  
Charlotte Hanlon ◽  
Stephan Holzer ◽  
Katherine Sorsdahl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Capacity Building ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Mental Health Research ◽  
Research Capacity Building ◽  
Research Culture ◽  
African Countries ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Grant Management

Abstract Background There are substantial gaps in our knowledge regarding the aetiology of mental, neurological and substance use disorders in sub-Saharan Africa, and the cost-effectiveness and scalability of interventions to reduce the burden of these conditions on the continent. To address these gaps, international investment has focussed on building research capacity, including funding doctoral students in African countries, to support development of high quality, contextually relevant interventions. Absent, however, is an understanding of how capacity building feeds into research careers.Methods Within a broader mental health research capacity-building initiative (African Mental Health Research Initiative), we conducted 52 qualitative interviews with early-career researchers, policymakers, academics, and service users from four African countries (Ethiopia, Malawi, South Africa, and Zimbabwe) and with international funders of mental health research. The interview guide focused on the research context, planning, and priorities and how respondents perceive research careers and funding. Thematic analysis was applied to the transcribed interviews.Results Five components of a research career emerged: i) research positions; ii) research skills; iii) funding; iv) research commitment from African countries; and v) advocacy. All stakeholders wanted more high-impact African researchers, but few saw a clear, replicable track for developing their careers within universities or their Ministries of Health in their African countries. This stemmed, in part, from the lack of support for infrastructure that enables high-quality research: grants administration, mentorship, university leadership, research culture, and open communication between policymakers and researchers.Conclusions This study highlights the importance of developing research infrastructure alongside capacity-building efforts. International funders should invest in grant management at African universities which would place them at the centre of research initiatives. African universities should prioritise the creation of a research culture by developing and promoting well-defined research tracks for both clinicians and academics, investing in grant management, and raising the profile of research within their institutions.

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