OUCRU Outbreak Advisory Board in the COVID-19 Pandemic in Viet Nam

Abstract

Background Engagement between researchers and policy stakeholders plays a key role in facilitating collaboration and using research to inform health policies in Vietnam. As a leading health research institute in the region, the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) has been working with policy stakeholders for health impacts since its establishment in 1991. However, such efforts have mainly been fragmented and faced multiple barriers from both sides, including time constraints, lack of support, resources and relationships, and negative perceptions, among others. Methods To promote more systemic engagement, in 2020, we established the OUCRU Outbreak Advisory Board (OAB) in response to COVID-19 with the intention of continuing after the pandemic to advise on general epidemic preparedness and response. The purpose of the OAB was to provide a platform for knowledge exchange and discussion on issues related to COVID-19, and to inform OUCRU's COVID-19 research program. It also aimed to contribute to broader outbreak management. Results Through quarterly online meetings, the OAB provided all members a forum to discuss, share, and understand each other’s activities and priorities in the context of infectious disease outbreaks in Vietnam. The OAB played a role in facilitating more effective communication between OUCRU researchers and policy stakeholders in Vietnam. Conclusions The model of an outbreak advisory board offers an inexpensive, relatively simple way to engage with policy stakeholders, and can be easily replicated by other programs. Despite its limitations, the OAB has contributed to ongoing communication efforts between OUCRU researchers and policy stakeholders in Vietnam. It helped ensure that the organization’s research response to the pandemic was relevant, timely, and locally driven and set the foundation for a more comprehensive discussion forum on research and policy related to infectious diseases, namely the OUCRU Infectious Diseases Research and Policy Discussion Forum (OUCRU IDDF).