Who are the successful reproductive health clinician-researchers?

Abstract

<p>Huge investments into research capacity building in low to middle-income countries<sup>1</sup> have resulted in a significant increase in the critical mass of research scientists.<sup>2</sup> However, the increase in researchers and research output has been more easily achieved in larger countries with a multitude of research institutions. Efforts have been less successful in small countries, such as those in the Pacific region,<sup>3 4</sup> despite the many research collaborations from within and from outside the region. Pacific Island countries with small economies, especially those with populations less than 50,000, do not have the capacity to produce a critical mass of researchers. Therefore training individual clinicians to perform clinical or health services research is a viable alternative.<sup>5</sup> <sup>6</sup></p><p>To address the lack of regional and local research evidence, the Pacific Society for Reproductive Health (PSRH) passed a resolution in 2007 to promote clinical research and audit amongst its members. Research workshops were conducted in conjunction with biennial conferences to stimulate research activity. In 2013, the BRRACAP (Building Reproductive Research and Audit Capacity and Activity in the Pacific Islands) Study was conducted to increase research activity in the 18 months after a 7-day research workshop and subsequent research mentoring.<sup>6</sup> This short report summarises one aspect of the BRRACAP Study’s findings - the characteristics of the most successful clinician-researchers. Implications of these findings are discussed. </p>