Building Global Capacity for Conducting Operational Research Using the SORT IT Model: Where and Who?

Zachariah, Rony; Rust, Stefanie; Berger, Selma Dar; Guillerm, N.; Bissell, Karen; Delaunois, Paul; Reid, Anthony; Kumar, Ajay M. V.; Olliaro, Piero; Reeder, John C.; Harries, Anthony; Ramsay, Andrew

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0160837

Cited by 37 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Five former trainees teach epidemiology and/or biostatistics courses at Georgian universities. In addition, one former trainee served as a course leader for the Structured Operational Research and Training Initiative operational research training course 10. DISCUSSIONOur NIH FIC-supported GID TB RTP helped establish a cadre of highly trained clinical and translational researchers and increased research capacity in Georgia.…”

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confidence: 99%

The Impact of a Fogarty International Center-Supported Tuberculosis Research Training Program in the Country of Georgia

Kempker

Tukvadze

Sthreshley

et al. 2018

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

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In 2004, there existed limited tuberculosis (TB) research capacity in the country of Georgia. In response, a collaborative research training program (RTP) supported by a National Institutes of Health Fogarty International Center Global Infectious Diseases grant was formed between a U.S. academic institution and the National Center for Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (NCTLD) and other institutions in Georgia. We sought to assess outcomes of this RTP. The TB RTP combined didactic and mentored research training for Georgian trainees. Long-term trainees were supported for a 2-year period and with posttrainee career development mentoring. Metrics used to measure program performance included publications, grants received, and career advancement. From 2004 to 2015, 20 trainees participated in the program with 15 (75%) authoring a total of 65 publications in PubMed-listed journals. The median number of publications per trainee was six (interquartile range 2-14). A total of 16 (80%) trainees remain working in the area of TB; nine were promoted to leadership positions and three to lead research units at Georgian institutions. Ten (50%) trainees were the principal investigator (PI) of a peer-reviewed external grant after Fogarty-supported training, and 40% served as research mentors. Annual TB-related research funding at the NCTLD increased from $5,000 in 2005 to ∼$1.5 million in 2017. A Georgian Fogarty trainee was either PI, site PI, or coinvestigator on > 90% of all research funding. We believe that the NIH Fogarty-funded TB research training grant has made critical contributions to increasing the TB-related research infrastructure and capacity in Georgia, particularly at the NCTLD.

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confidence: 99%

The Impact of a Fogarty International Center-Supported Tuberculosis Research Training Program in the Country of Georgia

Kempker

Tukvadze

Sthreshley

et al. 2018

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

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“…But only four out of six (66.7%) participants completed milestone 4 and three out of four submitted manuscripts were published (milestone 3). Hence, the 80-80-80-80 targets were not met, which contrasts with the success of the classic SORT-IT [1,2]. On the other hand, the proportion who successfully published is higher than that of some other OR courses [4].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The SORT-IT is an output-based course, whereby public health programme staff are mentored in OR while working on their own research studies. About 90% of all participants have achieved the pre-defined milestone of completing and submitting a scientific paper to a peer-reviewed Journal [1,2]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Decroo

Bergh

Kumar³

et al. 2018

Global Health Action

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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.

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“…Unfortunately, our outputs, when measured in terms of timely completion rates, have not been as impressive as SORT IT courses. SORT IT courses have achieved more than 90% publication rate [62] as compared to 64% publication rate of our courses. The cause of this disparity remains unclear and is an area that requires attention.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Operational research within a Global Fund supported tuberculosis project in India: why, how and its contribution towards change in policy and practice

Sagili¹,

Satyanarayana

Chadha³

et al. 2018

Global Health Action

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Background: The Global Fund encourages operational research (OR) in all its grants; however very few reports describe this aspect. In India, Project Axshya was supported by a Global Fund grant to improve the reach and visibility of the government Tuberculosis (TB) services among marginalised and vulnerable communities. OR was incorporated to build research capacity of professionals working with the national TB programme and to generate evidence to inform policies and practices. Objectives: To describe how Project Axshya facilitated building OR capacity within the country, helped in addressing several TB control priority research questions, documented project activities and their outcomes, and influenced policy and practice. Methods: From September 2010 to September 2016, three key OR-related activities were implemented. First, practical output-oriented modular training courses were conducted (n = 3) to build research capacity of personnel involved in the TB programme, co-facilitated by The Union, in collaboration with the national TB programme, WHO country office and CDC, Atlanta. Second, two large-scale Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) surveys were conducted at baseline and mid-project to assess the changes pertaining to TB knowledge, attitudes and practices among the general population, TB patients and health care providers over the project period. Third, studies were conducted to describe the project’s core activities and outcomes. Results: In the training courses, 44 participant teams were supported to develop research protocols on topics of national priority, resulting in 28 peer-reviewed scientific publications. The KAP surveys and description of project activities resulted in 14 peer-reviewed publications. Of the published papers at least 12 have influenced change in policy or practice. Conclusions: OR within a Global Fund supported TB project has resulted in building OR capacity, facilitating research in areas of national priority and influencing policy and practice. We believe this experience will provide guidance for undertaking OR in Global Fund projects.

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Building Global Capacity for Conducting Operational Research Using the SORT IT Model: Where and Who?

Cited by 37 publications

References 18 publications

The Impact of a Fogarty International Center-Supported Tuberculosis Research Training Program in the Country of Georgia

The Impact of a Fogarty International Center-Supported Tuberculosis Research Training Program in the Country of Georgia

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

Operational research within a Global Fund supported tuberculosis project in India: why, how and its contribution towards change in policy and practice

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