operational research in the 21 st century. international union against tuberculosis and lung disease...
TRANSCRIPT
Operational Research in the 21st Century
International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union)
• World’s oldest humanitarian organization dealing with health founded in Paris in 1920
• Mission to bring innovation, expertise, solutions and support to address health challenges in low- and middle-income populations.
• Three pillars: Technical supportResearchTraining
TREAT TB Overview
Technology, Research, Education and Technical Assistance for TB – “TREAT TB”
USAID Cooperative Agreement with the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (2008-2013)
Aims to contribute to new knowledge through:
Field evaluations of diagnostic tools Clinical trials of priority research questions Targeted operational research benefitting global,
regional and country TB control efforts
Outline
Definition and outputs of operational research
Capacity building at programme level
Capacity building at individual level
Approaches to OR trainingClassical OR trainingVirtual OR trainingE-tools for OR training
Conclusion
Operational Research
•
Research into strategies, interventions, tools or knowledge that can enhance the quality, coverage, effectiveness, or performance of the health system.
Operational Research
Operational Research
•
New knowledge gained from an OR studyleads to Improved tools and management of
clinical, laboratory or health services New strategies or interventions for
specific health settings or populations Evidence that can be used to write new
policies
Strengthening OR at Programme Level
Operational Research
Situational Analysis
Program Priority Setting
ORProgramm
e
Evaluation (including
peer review)
Training
Leadership &
Management
EthicsSupport
Impact Assessment Framework
PolicyTransfer Analysis
&
Operational Research
Situational Analysis
Program Priority Setting
ORProgramm
e
Evaluation (including
peer review)
Training
Leadership &
Management
EthicsSupport
Impact Assessment Framework
PolicyTransfer Analysis
&
Strengthening OR at Individual Level
Stages of Operational Research
•
Classical Approaches to OR Training
Union’s Centre for Operational Research
Three 5-day modules over a 9 month period
Module 1: participants develop research question and full research protocol
Module 2: participants learn about and create data entry system
Module 3: participants develop their completed research effort in a scientific paper which is submitted to a peer-reviewed journal
ORAP in South Africa
Pairs health services workers new to OR with experienced academic health professionals
Teaches participants how to design and implement an OR study
Trains participants in scientific manuscript writing
Provide one-on-one mentoring through every stage of the research
TB CARE-supported OR in Ethiopia
Teams of trainees from different regions – representing universities, health services and Regional Health Bureau
Group protocol based on regional health priority
Each regional team led by Ethiopian research mentor
Additional back up and support provided by international facilitators
Virtual Training
Why Virtual Training
Training schedule can be disruptive to work and family life
Costly to bring participants to central location
Limited availability of international experts to provide input/facilitation
TREAT TB Virtual Learning Programme for Operational Research
Combination of synchronous and asynchronous approaches to build capacity in OR
Six participants selected globally (Brazil, India (2), Kenya, Pakistan and Swaziland
Six facilitators providing mentorship and live facilitation of six sessions over 16 month programme
TREAT TB Virtual Learning Programme for Operational Research
Support provided in between live sessions from one-on-one mentorship
Data collection and ethical approval process supported as needed
Small amount of funds available if needed for local research costs
TREAT TB Virtual Learning Programme for Operational Research
Topics currently being researched:
"Which combination of the six tuberculosis screening questions predicts sputum smear which highest accuracy?”
“Early Anti-retroviral therapy initiation of MDR-TB and HIV co-infected patients in Swaziland.”
“Factors associated with unsuccessful treatment outcomes of MDR-TB patients in Tamil Nadu state, India.”
“Pulmonary TB contact tracing in a priority municipality for disease control in Brazil.
E-tools for Operational ResearchTraining
Conclusions
Optimal package of OR training approaches and materials will be country specific and likely require a variety of tools and methods
Starting point must be programme priorities to improve programme performance
End point must be meaningful changes in guidelines and policies to improve programmes
Visit TREAT TB website at: www.treattb.org