Abstract
Global health innovators must navigate substantial complexities to successfully develop, implement and sustain global health innovations with impact through application of an Integrated Innovation™ approach. We sought to examine the nature of the literature and evidence around mentoring, training and support of global health innovators. We conducted a scoping review searching eight databases with terms capturing different kinds of innovation and support. Assessment of relevance and mapping was completed by two reviewers, with interpretation by the review team. Twenty-eight relevant papers provided perspectives on fostering global health innovators and innovation. Fifteen included empirical data on supports to global health innovators involving a wide range of innovators. Eight included documentation of outcomes but without designs to determine effectiveness. The diverse mentoring, training and support activities included: business incubators, support organizations and centres for entrepreneurship, technology transfer and intellectual property management, internship programs for business skill development, initiatives to bridge industry and researchers, and platforms for South-led innovation for global health. We propose the cultivation of a pipeline of global health innovators to increase the number of appropriate, sustainable innovations with impact in global health. Further empirical work on how to effectively support global health innovators is needed.
Highlights
Global health innovators must navigate substantial complexities to successfully develop, implement and sustain global health innovations with impact through application of an Integrated InnovationTM approach
We propose the cultivation of a pipeline of global health innovators to increase the number of appropriate, sustainable innovations with impact in global health
Each can affect the discovery, development, effective implementation and equitable adoption of innovations which impact health (Matlin, 2008; McCannon et al, 2007). This illustrates the significance of an Integrated InnovationTM approach to global health that aims to support the entire process of innovation from beginning to end, in light of these factors
Summary
Global health innovators must navigate substantial complexities to successfully develop, implement and sustain global health innovations with impact through application of an Integrated InnovationTM approach. There has been a major push to conceive of health innovation as a multi-sectoral process, reflected through institutional funding and training (e.g. University of Toronto Institute of Global Health Equity and Innovation, National Institutes of Health Framework Programs for Global Health Innovation) (University of Toronto, 2013; National Institutes of Health Fogarty International Centre, 2012), and nonprofit organizations (e.g. PATH) (PATH, 2013) and higher level policy discussions within European organizations (Battams et al, 2011) Young innovators in both high income countries (HICs) and low and middle income countries (LMICs), who aim to achieve equitable health outcomes through innovation, must receive the proper mentorship, training and support so that they are better able to navigate complexities and mitigate gaps in skills, knowledge or resources during the innovation process. We used GCC’s organizational process and innovation funding cycle for global health innovators as a case example to which we could apply our review findings
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
