Abstract
ABSTRACTThe Structured Operational Research Training Initiative (SORT-IT) has been shown to be very effective in strengthening capacity for conducting operational research, publishing in scientific journals and fostering policy and practice change. The ‘classic’ model includes three face-to-face modules during which, respectively, a study protocol, a data analysis plan, and a manuscript are elaborated. Meanwhile, the lectures of the SORT-IT are available online as YouTube videos. Given the availability of this online material and the experiences with online mentorship of the faculty, we piloted a first blended distance/residential SORT-IT. To inform future implementers of our experience with blended operational research courses, we summarize the model, successes, and challenges of this approach in this perspective paper. The blended SORT-IT consisted of an online phase, covering modules 1 and 2, followed by a face-to-face writing module 3. Four out of six participants successfully completed the course, and submitted a manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal within four weeks of completing module 3. A blended approach may make the SORT-IT course more accessible to future participants and may favour the adoption of the course by other institutions, such as national Ministries of Health.
Highlights
The Structured Operational Research Training Initiative (SORT-IT), is a Global Partnership Initiative coordinated by the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases at the World Health Organization (WHO-TDR) since 2012 and implemented with partners
Modules 1 and 2 of the classic SORT-IT were provided during the online phase using the same structured approach
Between October 2015 and April 2016, the operational research course, SORT-IT, was adapted to a blended format consisting of an online phase covering modules 1 and 2, followed by a face-to-face writing module 3
Summary
Operational research (OR) is increasingly used to study how interventions with a demonstrated efficacy can be applied in an effective manner in programmatic settings, especially when the disease burden is high, resources are scarce, and difficult choices need to be made. The Structured Operational Research Training Initiative (SORT-IT), is a Global Partnership Initiative coordinated by the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases at the World Health Organization (WHO-TDR) since 2012 and implemented with partners. To join the classic SORT-IT course, participants and mentors should be available to join three face-to-face modules of one week each. Modules 1 and 2 of the classic SORT-IT were provided during the online phase using the same structured approach Participants and their mentors navigated through the different steps: first, they identified a research question; second, they developed the Introduction, Methods, and Ethics sections of a study protocol; and they created dummy tables and conducted a draft data analysis. Future organizers of blended SORT-IT courses should consider placing more emphasis on data analysis during the distance phase or extending the face-to-face writing module by an extra day. They could take up a short course on statistics prior to enrolment on a SORT-IT course
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