Enhancing media communication of health research: an evaluation of the Journalist in Residence Programme at the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme

Abstract

Background: In 2012, the Science Communication department at the Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme (MLW) established the Journalist in Residence Programme (JIR) to train journalists and give them support when reporting health research stories for MLW. However, the programme had not been evaluated since its inception. We assessed the impact of media training and support through this programme on the development of health research reporting in Malawi. Methods: Qualitative approaches were used to conduct in-depth interviews with five journalists, two editors, two consultants, five researchers, and three Ministry of Health officials. Two focus group discussions were also conducted with selected Community Advisory Group members in Blantyre and Chikwawa. All interviews and focus group discussions were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis was conducted using Nvivo11. Results: The JIR programme has a positive impact on the development of health research reporting in Malawi. The quantity and quality of health research stories generated from Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust research have increased after introducing the programme. Additionally, journalists are motivated to write health research stories as they get training and support through the programme. The health research work being implemented by Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust is appreciated by policy makers and the public at large through stories published by journalists in the programme. Conclusions: This evaluation found that the JIR programme is a powerful tool for achieving the development of health research reporting in Malawi.