Building Global Capacity for Conducting Operational Research Using the SORT IT Model: Where and Who?

Rony Zachariah,Andrew Ramsay,Nathalie Guillerm,Anthony J Reid,John C Reeder,Selma Dar Berger,Anthony D Harries,Paul Delaunois,Piero L Olliaro,Karen Bissell,Stefanie Rust,Ajay M V Kumar,Pietro Cipresso

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0160837

Abstract

SettingResearch capacity is weakest in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) where operational research is highly relevant and needed. Structured Operational Research and Training Initiative (SORT IT) courses have been developed to train participants to conduct and publish operational research and influence policy and practice. Twenty courses were completed in Asia, Africa, Europe and the South Pacific between 2009 and 2014.ObjectivesIn the 20 completed SORT IT courses, to assess where the research was conducted, who was trained, who became facilitators in subsequent courses and course outcomes.DesignA cohort study of completed SORT IT coursesResultsThere were 236 participants (41% female) including 64 nationalities who conducted research in 59 countries, mostly from Asia and Africa (mean course duration = 9.7 months). Most participants (68%) were from government health programs and non-governmental agencies. A total of 213(90%) participants completed all milestones successfully with 41(19%) becoming subsequent course facilitators, 88% of whom were from LMICs. Of 228 manuscripts submitted to scientific journals, 197(86%) were either published or in press; in 86%, the principal investigator (first author) was a LMIC national. Papers were published in 23 scientific journals (impact factor 0.5–4.4) and covered 21 disease categories (median publication time = 5.7 months). Published papers (186) had 94,794 cumulative article views/downloads. Article views/downloads for immediate open access articles were double those from closed access journals.ConclusionThe SORT IT model has been effective in training personnel to produce relevant operational research in LMICs. It merits continued commitment and support for further scale-up and development.

Highlights

The 2013 World Health Report of the World Health Organization (WHO) was entitled “Research for Universal Health Coverage”.[1]
A total of 213(90%) participants completed all milestones successfully with 41 (19%) becoming subsequent course facilitators, 88% of whom were from Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs)
The Structured Operational Research and Training Initiative (SORT IT) model has been effective in training personnel to produce relevant operational research in LMICs

Summary

Introduction

The 2013 World Health Report of the World Health Organization (WHO) was entitled “Research for Universal Health Coverage”.[1] One of its key messages was that universal health coverage, with access to high-quality services, cannot be achieved without evidence from research.[1] Importantly, it emphasized the need to strengthen research capacity in public health programs, close to the supply and demand of health services.[1, 2]. Research capacity, is lowest in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) where research evidence is highly relevant and most needed.[3, 4] Meeting this challenge requires developing and implementing effective models for capacity building. SORT IT supports countries to conduct operational research around their own priorities, to build improved and sustainable research capacity, and to make evidence-informed changes in the delivery of health services. SORT IT supports countries to conduct operational research around their own priorities, to build improved and sustainable research capacity, and to make evidence-informed changes in the delivery of health services. [7]

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