Blended SORT-IT for operational research capacity building: the model, its successes and challenges

Global Health Action

Philip Owiti¹  Ajay M. V. Kumar²  Anthony D. Harries³  Engy Ali⁴  Safieh Shah⁴  Guido Benedetti⁴  Wilma van den Boogaard⁴  Tom Decroo⁴  Anthony J. Reid⁴  Rafael Van den Bergh⁴  Erin Schillberg⁴  Rony Zachariah⁵ 

[1] Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH);International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), South-East Asia Office;International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease;Operational Centre Brussels, MSF Luxembourg;World Health Organization;

关键词: Operational research;    capacity building;    blended learning;    mentorship;    education;    training;    SORT-IT;   

DOI  :  10.1080/16549716.2018.1469215

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The Structured Operational Research Training Initiative (SORT-IT) has been shown to be very effective in strengthening capacity for conducting operational research, publishing in scientific journals and fostering policy and practice change. The ‘classic’ model includes three face-to-face modules during which, respectively, a study protocol, a data analysis plan, and a manuscript are elaborated. Meanwhile, the lectures of the SORT-IT are available online as YouTube videos. Given the availability of this online material and the experiences with online mentorship of the faculty, we piloted a first blended distance/residential SORT-IT. To inform future implementers of our experience with blended operational research courses, we summarize the model, successes, and challenges of this approach in this perspective paper. The blended SORT-IT consisted of an online phase, covering modules 1 and 2, followed by a face-to-face writing module 3. Four out of six participants successfully completed the course, and submitted a manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal within four weeks of completing module 3. A blended approach may make the SORT-IT course more accessible to future participants and may favour the adoption of the course by other institutions, such as national Ministries of Health.

【 授权许可】

Unknown