Research Capacity Building Program Research Articles

A national program to advance dementia research in Vietnam

BackgroundAs Vietnam and other low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) experience a rapid increase in the number of people living with dementia, an acute need exists to strengthen research capacity to inform policy, improve care and support, and develop national dementia plans. We describe the development and early outcomes of an National Institutes of Health (NIH)/National Institute on Aging (NIA)-funded national dementia research capacity building program in Vietnam.MethodsThe research capacity building program commenced in 2019 and has three components: (1) Vietnam Alzheimer’s and other dementias research Network (VAN), (2) a mentored pilot grant program, and (3) research training, networking, and dissemination activities. The pilot grant program funds Vietnamese researchers for one to two years to conduct research focusing on Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease Related Dementias (AD/ADRD). Grants are reviewed and scored using NIH criteria, and priority is given to pilot grants with policy relevance and potential for future funding. An international pool of high-income country (e.g., United States, Australia, and United Kingdom) mentors has been engaged and mentors paired with each funded project. Training and networking activities include workshops on AD/ADRD research topics and regular meetings in conjunction with Vietnam’s annual national dementia/geriatric conferences. Dissemination is facilitated through targeted outreach and the creation of a national network of institutions.ResultsOver four years (2019–2023), we received 62 applications, reviewed 58 applications, and funded 21 projects (4–5 per year). Funded investigators were from diverse disciplines and institutions across Vietnam with projects on a range of topics, including biomarkers, prevention, diagnosis, neuropsychological assessment, family caregiver support, dementia education, and clinical trials. A network of 12 leading academic and research institutions nationwide has been created to facilitate dissemination. Six research training workshops have been organized and included presentations from international speakers. Grantees have published or presented their studies at both national and international levels. The mentoring program has helped grantees to build their research skills and expand their research network.ConclusionThis research capacity building program is the first of its kind in Vietnam and may serve as a useful model for other LMIC.

Lessons from a research partnership in southwest England to understand community palliative care needs in rural, coastal and low-income communities.

The South West Peninsula (Cornwall, Devon, Somerset) has the highest proportion of over 65s (24.2%) and is the only English rural population with greater economic deprivation than in urban areas. Coastal populations have the worst health outcomes in England. Despite innovation among communities to support those with health and care needs in later life, recruitment to palliative care research in the region is low and there has been no evaluation of public health palliative care interventions. A new South West Peninsula Palliative Care Research Partnership was funded for 15 months, bringing together four universities, the voluntary and community sector (including hospices) and local National Institute for Health and Care Research networks. The aim was to establish a sustainable multisectoral partnership that would identify community-based support needs for underserved rural and coastal populations by: • conducting a literature scoping review on interventions to enable community members to support the dying; • delivering a research capacity-building programme; • co-creating public and patient involvement capacity; • determining the resources and needs for communities to support dying well; • integrating findings to develop a framework of community-based support and identify future research questions; • establishing a sustainable research network infrastructure for the long-term design and delivery of palliative care research. We convened partners to identify research needs and co-designed activities to meet our objectives. These included a scoping review; a capacity-building programme of training, seminars and a journal club; forming a patient and public involvement group; a multistranded community engagement programme using different creative approaches; four focus groups with members of the public and one with community workers; and producing three 'storytelling' audio recordings. Findings were presented to the partnership at a regional workshop. The scoping review showed that community-engaged palliative care interventions can improve outcomes for individuals but provided little evidence about which approaches work for different communities. Five online seminars and a quarterly journal club to develop research capacity were regularly attended by 15 to 25 participants from across the partnership. While evaluating our engagement methods was beyond the partnership's scope, levels of participation suggested that creative methods of engagement show potential to help researchers and practitioners better understand the needs and priorities of underserved populations. Data showed that rural, coastal and low-income communities face challenges in accessing end-of-life care and support due to issues such as transport to and distance from services, erosion of neighbourhood networks, isolation from family and friends, 'patchiness' of palliative care services and a lack of care providers. Community organisations are well-placed to co-produce and facilitate methodologies for involving communities in palliative care research. Although activities took place in diverse areas, it was not possible within the available resources to cover the entire large geographical region, particularly the most isolated rural areas. Partnerships bringing together voluntary and community sector organisations, palliative care providers, health and social care providers, individuals with experience and academics have potential to design future research and public health interventions that better understand local context, involving and supporting communities to address their needs at end of life. This article presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme as award number NIHR135312.

The African Research Group for Oncology: A decade fostering colorectal cancer research in Nigeria.

The African Research Group for Oncology (ARGO) was formed in 2013 to undertake methodologically rigorous cancer research in Nigeria, and to strengthen cancer research capacity in the country through training and mentorship of physicians, scientists, and other healthcare workers. Here, we describe how ARGO's work in colorectal cancer (CRC) has evolved over the past decade. This includes the consortium's scientific contributions to the understanding of CRC in Nigeria and globally and its research capacity-building program.

Research Skills and Competencies of the Public Elementary School Teachers: Input for Research Capacity Building Program/

Research Skills and Competencies of the Public Elementary School Teachers: Input for Research Capacity Building Program/

Achievement and Aspiration of Local Colleges and Universities on the Research Agenda of Funding Institutions: Basis for Research Capability Building

This study was conducted for a specific purpose: to assess the research culture in the local colleges and universities and to propose an enhanced research capacity-building program. There were sixteen informants of this study; four administrators and twelve faculty members in the local colleges and universities in the CAMANAVA area namely: The University of Caloocan City, City of Malabon University, Navotas Polytechnic College and Valenzuela City Polytechnic College. A Purposive sampling technique was used to identify the informants. The study made use of a qualitative research approach. The data were collected from individual interviews with the administrators and faculty members. Using open coding, six (6) themes were emerged from the interviews and analysis of the document: philosophical research perspective, impact on institution’s growth and development, motivational components in research engagement, promoting the research culture, managing challenges and impediments and enhancing research capability. The informants identified the challenges in the development of the intensified research culture in the local colleges and universities which includes the scarcity of funds, research skills and expertise, network resources, and time constraint. These can be resolved through the enhancement of research capabalities and development programs. Generally, the study concluded that the research is indeed a powerful tool in addressing institutional problems and the utmost contribution of faculty members of the local colleges and universities in the academic and curricular programs and institutional growth and development. The institutional support will address the compelling need of the local colleges and universities to improve their research capability and research output.

A national program to advance dementia research in Vietnam

AbstractBackgroundAs Vietnam and other low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC) experience a rapid increase in people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD), an acute need exists to strengthen research capacity to inform policy, improve care and supports, and develop of national dementia plans. We describe the development and early outcomes of an NIH/NIA‐funded national ADRD research capacity building program in Vietnam.MethodThe research capacity building program has three components: a mentored pilot grant program, research training and networking activities, and dissemination. The pilot grant program funds Vietnamese researchers for 1‐2 years to conduct research focused on ADRD research broadly defined. Each funded investigator is paired with an international expert who serves as a mentor. Grants are reviewed and scored using NIH criteria and priority is given to pilot grants with policy relevance and potential for future funding. Training and networking activities include workshops on ADRD research topics and regular meetings in conjunction with Vietnam’s annual national dementia conference. Dissemination is facilitated through targeted outreach and the creation of a national network of institutions.ResultOver the first three years (2019‐2022) of this five year program, we reviewed 46 applications and selected 17 for funding (4‐6 per year). Funded investigators were from diverse disciplines (e.g., geriatrics, neurology, neuropsychology, nursing, pharmacy, social work) and institutions across Vietnam with projects on a range of topics, including biomarkers, prevention, diagnosis, neuropsychological assessment, family caregiver support, dementia education, and clinical trials. An international pool of high‐income country (e.g., United States, Australia, United Kingdom) mentors has been engaged and mentors paired with each funded project. Research training has included 2 workshops at national conferences and 3 webinars that have features international speakers. A network of 11 leading academic and research institutions nationwide (i.e., Northern, Central, and Southern Vietnam) has been created to facilitate dissemination. The program has adapted to meet the challenges of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Additional process and outcome assessments of the program are planned.ConclusionThis research capacity building program is the first of its kind in Vietnam and may serve as a useful model for other LMIC.

Minding the gap: The importance of active facilitation in moving boundary objects from in-theory to in-use as a tool for knowledge mobilisation

The Health Inequalities Assessment Toolkit (HIAT) was developed to support those involved in health research to integrate a focus on health inequalities. Our study focuses on bringing together the concepts of boundary objects (BO) and brokers-as-bricoleurs to explain the implementation of the HIAT within a research capacity building programme. Exploring the extent to which (i) the HIAT operated as a BO and (ii) the ideal conditions to nurture and enhance its effectiveness during knowledge mobilisation. We employed a qualitative approach to analyse: semi-structured focus groups and telephone interviews; secondary data from an evaluation of the wider research programme within which the capacity building was situated. Data was thematically analysed incorporating the properties of a BO: meaningfulness, convergence, resonance and authenticity. Four main themes identified: (1) Generating convergence through creating a focus (2) Reconciling differences to create a common language (3) Workshop facilitators: boundary brokers-as-bricoleurs, (4) Thoughts into action. The HIAT operated as a BO, enabling individuals across the different project teams to galvanise around the issue of health inequalities, explore collaboratively and incorporate equity within service evaluations. Highlighting the importance of involving brokers with an ability to improvise and mobilise around the HIAT, using their expertise to translate and interpret across boundaries and emphasise shared goals. Reflecting on this, a modified tool with additional resources beyond socio-economic causes has been launched as a forum to consider health inequalities from diverse perspectives for use beyond UK health and social care research.

Peer mentorship to build research capacity among members of the International Student Surgical Network (InciSioN): a proof of concept study

BackgroundInternational Student Surgical Network (InciSioN) is the largest student and trainee global surgery interest group worldwide and its members have contributed significantly to global surgery research. The InciSioN Research Capacity-Building (IReCaB) program aimed to enhance the research skills and confidence of participants via a peer mentorship model.MethodsAfter an open call to members of InciSioN to enroll, participants’ knowledge of research methods and the process was evaluated through a test to assign mentor and mentee roles, with mentors being those who scored ≥ 20/25. Mentors then delivered a series of four webinars to help disseminate research methodology to mentees. Finally, mentees were tested on their knowledge of research and their satisfaction with the program was also evaluated.ResultsFifty-two participants, mostly from LMICs (n = 23/52, 44.2%) were enrolled, and 36 completed the program. There was a significant improvement in the proportion of questions answered correctly on the post-program test (R = 0.755, p < 0.001). Post-IReCaB test scores were greater than pre-IReCaB scores (p < 0.001). The difference in confidence after the course was also significant (p < 0.001). IReCaB participants successfully designed, implemented, and published an international cross-sectional study.ConclusionThis study showed improvements in participants’ understanding of theoretical components of scientific research. We offer a model for research capacity building that can be implemented, modeled, and further refined by similar organizations with academic research goals.

Critical realist exploration of long-term outcomes, impacts and skill development from an Australian Rural Research Capacity Building Programme: a qualitative study

ObjectivesResearch capacity building programmes usually only examine short-term outcomes, following up participants after 1 or 2 years. Capacity building in health research requires a long-term view to understand the influence...

Building research capacity to correct global health's wrongs

Building research capacity to correct global health's wrongs

Capacity Building for Research in Critical Care: A Pilot Program in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Research productivity in the Eastern Mediterranean Region is relatively low in all fields, including critical care. We describe a capacity-building research program that was piloted with 11 clinicians from the Eastern Mediterranean Region, who had minimal research experience. The program was conducted over 1 year, with a structure that specifically addressed factors that contribute to low research productivity. We describe the structure of the program, the faculty involved, the feasibility, and challenges faced, as well as the impact of the program on research output. At a small scale, the program was generally feasible and demonstrated promising results. Evaluating the feasibility of conducting such a program over a longer period of time and with a larger group of participants is necessary since research capacity-building programs require multiple years to demonstrate a significant impact on research output.

Building relational research capacity in care homes in the COVID-19 era: applying recognition theory to the research agenda

Purpose Research can be an influential driver in raising care home standards and the well-being and human rights of residents. This paper aims to present a case for how a relational research capacity building programme could advance this agenda. Design/methodology/approach This study uses Axel Honneth’s Recognition Theory as a lens through which to explore organisational and institutional factors (such as research capacity and investment) that can either enable or limit “recognition” in the context of research in care homes. This paper draws on recent evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK and worldwide, to argue that such a relational capacity building agenda is even more pressing in the current context, and that it resonates with evidence from existing relational capacity building initiatives. Findings A lack of relevant research arguably contributed to the crisis experienced by the care home sector early in the pandemic, and there are only tentative signs that residents, care home providers and staff are now informing the COVID-19 research agenda. Evidence from pre COVID-19 and insights from Honneth’s Recognition Theory suggest that relational approaches to building research capacity within the care home sector can better generate evidence to inform practice. Originality/value This is a novel application of recognition theory to research in the care home sector. Drawing on theory, as well as evidence, has enabled the authors to provide a rationale as to why relationship-based research capacity building in care homes warrants further investment.

Quantifying the cost of in-kind contributions to a multidonor-funded health research capacity-building programme: the case of the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa

IntroductionThere are significant investments in health research capacity development in the ‘global-south’. The monetary value of contributions from institutions running these programmes is not known.MethodsUsing the Consortium for Advanced Research...

Building Career Development Skills for Researchers: A Qualitative Study Across Four African Countries.

Background:Career development skills are widely advocated as part of research capacity building and strengthening efforts. However, there is a gap in knowledge on their acceptability in low- and middle-income countries.Objective:This study aimed to examine how a group of 16 early-career researchers in sub-Saharan Africa experienced a career development skills course and how they perceived the utility of the course.Methods:Sixteen early-career researchers registered at universities in Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and South Africa took part in the year-long Academic Competencies Series (ACES) course. ACES comprised ten modules covering mentoring skills, work-life balance, career strategy, teamwork, presentation skills, teaching, academic writing, engaging policy makers, grant-writing, and digital media. ACES was delivered through face-to-face workshops and via webinar as part of a broader mental health research capacity-building programme. In-depth interviews following a topic guide were conducted with participants. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using Thematic Analysis.Findings:All ACES participants were interviewed (9 male, 7 female). Participants were PhD students (14) and post-docs (2). The main themes identified throughout the course were 1) Growth, in both personal and professional life; 2) Application of training, often in innovative ways but with notable constraints and obstacles; and 3) Connection with colleagues, where researchers learnt from each other and from experts, building confidence in their new skills. Participants described how face-to-face contact enhanced the perceived quality of their learning experience. Barriers included logistical obstacles to applying training, such as limited resources and being at an early career stage.Conclusions:We found that research career development skills training was highly acceptable for early-career researchers in four African countries, and was perceived as having facilitated their personal and professional growth. Our findings suggest that courses like ACES can be applied successfully and innovatively in low-income settings.

Developing sustainable capacity-building in mental health research: implementation outcomes of training of trainers in systematic reviewing

ABSTRACT Less than 1% of biomedical research papers originate in Africa. Locally relevant mental health research, including synthesis of existing evidence, is essential for developing interventions and strengthening health systems, but institutions may lack the capacity to deliver training on systematic reviewing for publication in international journals. This paper describes the development and implementation of a training-of-trainers (ToT) course on systematic reviewing. The ToT prepared junior faculty (‘trainers’) from universities in Ethiopia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe to lead a five-day systematic reviewing workshop. Using an evaluation framework based on implementation science outcomes, the feasibility of the ToT was assessed by tracking the number of workshops the trainers subsequently conducted and the number of trainers and trainees who participated; acceptability was assessed through post-workshop surveys on trainee perspectives; impact was evaluated through trainee scores on a 15-item multiple choice test on systematic reviewing concepts; and sustainability was assessed based on whether the workshop was integrated into university curricula. Twelve trainers (86% of those trained) facilitated a total of seven workshops in their home countries (total 103 trainees). The first workshop run in each country was evaluated, and there was a significant improvement in mean knowledge scores between pre- and post-tests among trainees (MD= 3.07, t= 5.90, 95% CI 2.02–4.11). In two of the three countries, there are efforts to integrate the systematic review workshop into university curricula. The cost of the workshop led by the international trainer was $1480 per participant, whereas the trainer-led workshops cost approximately $240 per participant. Overall, ToT is relatively new to research capacity building, although it has been used widely in clinical settings. Our findings suggest ToT is a promising, low-cost way to develop both technical skills of individuals and the pedagogical capacity of universities, and to promote sustainability of research capacity building programs that often have time-limited grant funding.

Lessons learned from a health authority research capacity-building initiative.

Health systems worldwide are under pressure to deliver better care to more people with increasingly complex needs within constrained budgets. Research capacity building has been shown to help alleviate these challenges and is underway at hospitals and health authorities across the country; however, approaches vary widely and little exists in the Canadian literature to share experience and best practices. This article describes how a health authority in British Columbia, Canada, implemented and evaluated a 5-year research capacity-building program in partnership with a provincial health research funder. We offer lessons learned for those leading similar innovation-focused change management initiatives, including vision and buy in, complexity thinking, infrastructure, leadership, and coalition development. We suggest that collective learning and building a more robust research capacity-building literature can help health organizations and their partners take significant steps toward integrating research and care for a more effective, efficient, and patient-centred health system.

Building research experience: Impact of a novice researcher development program for rural health workers.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the Rural Research Capacity Building Program on self-reported research experience of rural health workers. A repeat cross-sectional study design was used to assess self-reported research experience at the commencement and completion of a novice researcher development program. Candidates in the Rural Research Capacity Building Program are health workers employed in the rural NSW public health service who have not completed research higher degrees. One hundred and thirty candidates of the Rural Research Capacity Building Program from the 2006 to 2013 cohorts were participated. The Rural Research Capacity Building Program is an experiential learning program in which candidates gain research experience by undertaking a new, self-selected, local health service endorsed research project over a 2-year period, supported by 10days face-to-face teaching, weekly teleconferencing and mentoring. Change in self-assessed research experience using a validated 10-item measurement tool known as the Research Spider which measures 10 domains of research experience. Reported research experience demonstrated statistically significant increases across all 10 domains of research experience. The largest change was 'writing and presenting a research report' and 'writing a research protocol'. Significant increases in Research Spider results across all 10 domains demonstrated that completing the Rural Research Capacity Building Program significantly improves self-assessed research experience. Rural health workers who are experienced and confident to undertake research are more capable of studying health problems and finding solutions unique to the rural setting.

Research excellence across clinical healthcare: a novel research capacity building programme for nurses and midwives in a large Irish region.

Background: A lack of support and research skills development has contributed to low research output by clinically based nurses and midwives in Ireland, including those in specialised and advanced roles. A novel research capacity building (RCB) programme was developed to address existing barriers. The programme was developed and implemented using Cooke's principles of RCB. Nurses and midwives participated from acute hospital, community, public health, mental health, older adult, intellectual disability, addiction and palliative care settings. Aims: This paper provides an evaluation of the Research Excellence Across Clinical Healthcare (REACH) programme from 2013-2016. Methods: Document analysis was used to evaluate RCB activities and outputs. Data were extracted from programme reports, conference proceedings, paper references, and workshop and conference sign-in/evaluation forms. Results: Individuals (n = 17) and small research groups (n = 4) were supported. Increased research capacity was demonstrated through dissemination of research in peer-reviewed journals, posters and oral presentations at national and international conferences. Sustainability was demonstrated by progression of participants to PhD (n = 3) and research projects that remain ongoing (n = 5). Skills development was facilitated by the organisation of workshops and conferences. Conclusions: A programme that provides academic support and mentorship in the clinical environment along with skills development can build research capacity. Future research should involve follow-up to determine any long-term effects.

Review: Research excellence across clinical healthcare: a novel research capacity building programme for nurses and midwives in a large Irish region.

Review: Research excellence across clinical healthcare: a novel research capacity building programme for nurses and midwives in a large Irish region.

Impact of a remotely delivered, writing for publication program on publication outcomes of novice researchers.

Increased publication of clinician-led health research is important for improving patient care and health outcomes. The aim of this retrospective cohort study conducted in rural Australia was to determine the impact of a writing for publication (WFP) program delivered by teleconference on the publication rates and skill acquisition of novice researchers who have graduated from the New South Wales (NSW) Health Education and Training Institute Rural Research Capacity Building Program (RRCBP). Between 2012 and 2015, eight WFP 'bootcamp' programs were offered by the New South Wales Health Education and Training Institute to 112 RRCBP graduates, resulting in 50 participants completing at least one bootcamp. Participants completed a once-weekly WFP group teleconference for six consecutive weeks, and were expected to complete homework activities between sessions and participate in two follow-up teleconferences within 3 months of program conclusion. The primary outcome measure was manuscript publication resulting from participation in bootcamp, with secondary measures being changes in skills, knowledge and confidence in WFP, publication rate and cost per publication. Twenty-one participants (42%) published their bootcamp paper or a related paper that directly resulted from bootcamp WFP skills. Five other participants submitted their bootcamp manuscript for publication, but had not yet had it accepted for publication. The overall publication rate of RRCBP graduates who completed bootcamp was 0.80 compared to 0.23 who did not complete bootcamp. On a 1 to 5 scale, mean scores increased for writing (knowledge, experience, confidence) from 2.0 to 3.5 (p<0.01) and for publishing from 1.1 to 3.4 (p<0.01). The estimated cost incurred by the RRCBP to deliver the program was $230 per publication. WFP workshops delivered by teleconference support rural clinician researchers to improve their skills in writing and publishing. A remotely conducted WFP program was effective in increasing publication rates among novice researchers who had conducted a clinically based research project. This shows that novice researchers respond to similar intervention features as experienced researchers do when engaging with WFP, and that WFP outcomes can be increased substantially with modest investment of funding and resources by the host organisation.