scholarly journals Implementing a health research communication program in a low resource country: Experience from Uganda’s Makerere University School of Public

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Bakyawa ◽  
Micheal Devlin ◽  
David Serwadda ◽  
Carel IJsselmuiden
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Research ◽  
User Participation ◽  
Makerere University ◽  
Low Resource ◽  
Research Communication ◽  
Communication Program ◽  
Field Note ◽  
School Of Public Health ◽  
Joint Health

This field note presents what transpired in 18 months joint health research communication project at Makerere University School of Public Health. The project was the first of this nature at the university, in Uganda and probably in East Africa. Information on how the project was conceived, implemented and its results is given. It gives an overview of a communication framework that resulted from the process that informs anyone considering investing in research communication in a low resource institution or country. The note provides key themes of advocacy, community and user participation, influencing policy, fundraising and networking that arose from observations, interaction and activities and a situation review of the post project. It concludes that research communication in Uganda is still low and ill coordinated.  Cette note de champ présente ce qui s'est passé dans le projet de communication recherche 18 mois mixte sur la santé à Makerere University School of Public Health. Le projet a été le premier de cette nature à l'Université, en Ouganda et probablement en Afrique de l'est. Informations sur la façon dont le projet a été conçu, mis en œuvre et de ses résultats est donné. Il donne un aperçu d'un cadre de communication qui résulte du processus qui informe toute personne tenant compte investir dans la communication de la recherche dans une institution de faibles ressources ou un pays. La note fournit les thèmes clés de la défense, la participation communautaire et l'utilisateur, peuvent influencer les politiques, la collecte de fonds et de réseautage qui découle des observations, interaction, des activités et une situation d'examen du projet post. Il conclut que la communication de la recherche en Ouganda est encore faible et mal coordonnée.

scholarly journals What makes a ‘successful’ collaborative research project between public health practitioners and academics? A mixed-methods review of funding applications submitted to a local intervention evaluation scheme

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter van der Graaf ◽  
Lindsay Blank ◽  
Eleanor Holding ◽  
Elizabeth Goyder
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Collaborative Research ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Public Health Practice ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Evaluation Scheme ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Public Health Practitioners

Abstract Background The national Public Health Practice Evaluation Scheme (PHPES) is a response-mode funded evaluation programme operated by the National Institute for Health Research School for Public Health Research (NIHR SPHR). The scheme enables public health professionals to work in partnership with SPHR researchers to conduct rigorous evaluations of their interventions. Our evaluation reviewed the learning from the first five years of PHPES (2013–2017) and how this was used to implement a revised scheme within the School. Methods We conducted a rapid review of applications and reports from 81 PHPES projects and sampled eight projects (including unfunded) to interview one researcher and one practitioner involved in each sampled project (n = 16) in order to identify factors that influence success of applications and effective delivery and dissemination of evaluations. Findings from the review and interviews were tested in an online survey with practitioners (applicants), researchers (principal investigators [PIs]) and PHPES panel members (n = 19) to explore the relative importance of these factors. Findings from the survey were synthesised and discussed for implications at a national workshop with wider stakeholders, including public members (n = 20). Results Strengths: PHPES provides much needed resources for evaluation which often are not available locally, and produces useful evidence to understand where a programme is not delivering, which can be used to formatively develop interventions. Weaknesses: Objectives of PHPES were too narrowly focused on (cost-)effectiveness of interventions, while practitioners also valued implementation studies and process evaluations. Opportunities: PHPES provided opportunities for novel/promising but less developed ideas. More funded time to develop a protocol and ensure feasibility of the intervention prior to application could increase intervention delivery success rates. Threats: There can be tensions between researchers and practitioners, for example, on the need to show the 'success’ of the intervention, on the use of existing research evidence, and the importance of generalisability of findings and of generating peer-reviewed publications. Conclusions The success of collaborative research projects between public health practitioners (PHP) and researchers can be improved by funders being mindful of tensions related to (1) the scope of collaborations, (2) local versus national impact, and (3) increasing inequalities in access to funding. Our study and comparisons with related funding schemes demonstrate how these tensions can be successfully resolved.

scholarly journals 32.K. Skills building seminar: Using participatory health research to optimise psycho-oncological patient information material

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Patient Information ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Complex Interventions ◽  
User Participation ◽  
End Users ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Participatory Health Research ◽  
Practical Instrument

Abstract Patient information material (PIM) is omnipresent in healthcare. It is used to convey information or to familiarize potential end-users to offers of support. PIM recaps or elaborates on relevant information and offers recommendation for action. However, the quality of available PIM varies. When the formal and content-related quality of PIM is suboptimal, it not only fails to be effective but can also lead to uncertainty, misunderstandings, resistance or ignorance (e.g. of a support offer). Highly complex information requires much attention on the quality of the PIM, especially with respect to end-users (e.g. vulnerable groups). Excellent communication through the use of PIM is thus essential within complex interventions. Checklists, such as 'Discern' or 'PEMAT', as well as criteria catalogues or evidence-based patient information standards, may assist in the development, quality assessment and optimization of PIM. The inclusion of the end-users is recommended but for various reasons does not often take place. The innovative “integrated, cross-sectional Psycho-Oncology” (isPO) programme, offers needs-driven, professional support to all adult, newly diagnosed cancer patients early in their sickness trajectory. IsPO was developed in 2018. It was implemented and a formative evaluated in 2019. When developing this programme, different PIM were created top-down by the programme designers. During implementation, it became evident that these PIM materials required further improvement. A testing and optimization process started using the participatory health research (PHR) approach and was completed in a five-month period. A PIM-optimisation team was founded, which included the project partners involved in the network support, self-help organisations and the external evaluation institute. A practical instrument (PIM-checklist) for optimising the isPO-PIM was designed, piloted and used for testing by end-users, isPO service providers, and experts. Based on the recommendations in the checklist, the material was revised accordingly. Additionally, the PIM was completed with the design of two new components. Four optimisation rounds were conducted. The optimized PIM was tested on its comprehensibility (for end-users) and its usability (for service providers). During the presentations, the audience is invited to comment on critical questions that may appear during optimization (e.g. timing). Afterwards, there will be a skill building part with a focus on collaborative learning (45 minutes). First, we will focus on the requirements for a practical instrument that is handy for end-users, service providers and experts (mind mapping exercise). Finally, participants will be able to explore the following topics “World Café” discussion: (1) how to plan, conduct and communicate the development of optimization of PIM in a CI program, (2) what needs to be considered for the optimization (e.g. team composition, resources), and (3) how to continuously achieve end-userś participation. Key messages Excellent PIM are essential for a complex interventiońs success in practice and must include information and foster actionability. the iterative PIM design processes benefits from high user participation.

scholarly journals Utilizing asynchronous email interviews for health research: overview of benefits and drawbacks

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Amri ◽  
Christina Angelakis ◽  
Dilani Logan
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Data Quality ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Geographic Location ◽  
Public Health Research ◽  
Data Accuracy ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Face To Face

Abstract Objective Through collating observations from various studies and complementing these findings with one author’s study, a detailed overview of the benefits and drawbacks of asynchronous email interviewing is provided. Through this overview, it is evident there is great potential for asynchronous email interviews in the broad field of health, particularly for studies drawing on expertise from participants in academia or professional settings, those across varied geographical settings (i.e. potential for global public health research), and/or in circumstances when face-to-face interactions are not possible (e.g. COVID-19). Results Benefits of asynchronous email interviewing and additional considerations for researchers are discussed around: (i) access transcending geographic location and during restricted face-to-face communications; (ii) feasibility and cost; (iii) sampling and inclusion of diverse participants; (iv) facilitating snowball sampling and increased transparency; (v) data collection with working professionals; (vi) anonymity; (vii) verification of participants; (viii) data quality and enhanced data accuracy; and (ix) overcoming language barriers. Similarly, potential drawbacks of asynchronous email interviews are also discussed with suggested remedies, which centre around: (i) time; (ii) participant verification and confidentiality; (iii) technology and sampling concerns; (iv) data quality and availability; and (v) need for enhanced clarity and precision.

Challenges in Starting an Awake Craniotomy Project in a Low-Resource Public Health System

2021 ◽  
Vol 146 ◽  
pp. 277-279
Author(s):  
Lucas Alverne F. Albuquerque ◽  
Gabryella S. Diógenes ◽  
Fátima C. Pessoa
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health System ◽  
Public Health System ◽  
Awake Craniotomy ◽  
Low Resource
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