The Union/ MSF Model for sustainable operational research

1. The Union/ MSF Model for sustainable operational research The Union, Paris, France MSF, Brussels, Belgium

2. Background • The Union and MSF have years of experience and are strongly advocate for operational research • DOTS ‘Recording and Reporting’ information system in NTP allows data to be used to audit performance and to monitor results of interventions • GFATM allows 10% of each grant for operational research. Funding now available.

3. Operational Research Training

4. Previous training models • Class of 15 – 20 people • One week course on methods and data handling • Participants return to countries, but very few publish • Why?? – reasons unclear – perhaps no financial support, no writing skills for publishing articles, no mentorship, no time

5. Union / MSF proposal for a new type of course Purpose: To develop the practical skills for conducting and publishing operational research Approach: • Target-oriented • Participants go through the whole research process and complete the course with a defined product • Participants expected to train and lead others to maximise impact

6. Three modules • Module 1:research questions and protocol development ( 5 days) – August • Module 2:Data management and data analysis (5 days) – October • Module 3:Paper writing, includes data presentation, interpretation and policy implications (5 days) - February

7. Target Audience • Operational research fellows (mandatory) • Successful applicants (doctor, nurse, paramedical officer, data analyst) • No more than 12 participants in total per course. All three modules to be completed and these are funded through the Union

8. To be a successful applicant: • Defined criteria:- • Engaged in programme work and will return to this work • Supervisors endorsement that they have time and opportunity to carry out the research • Competent in English and computer literate • Have done MPH or equivalent or come strongly recommended • There is a stated and acceptable mentor at country level • Funding for research can be acquired through other sources • Application:- • Submit curriculum vitae plus two references • Complete application form with1/2 page written on programme problem and research question

9. Module 1 – Protocol development • Define the research question • Protocol development – authorship; aims and objectives; study population and sampling; definition of variables and outcomes; ethical issues; draft questionnaire or data collection instrument; logistics and budgets • Outcome: draft protocol written by each participant

10. Tasks between Modules 1 and 2 Each participant must have refined the protocol with the mentor and should submit it within two weeks to: • The Union Ethics Advisory Group (EAG) • National Ethics Committee

11. Module 2 –Data management and analysis • Purpose: efficient quality-assured data • Content: analysis and presentation of data • Outcome: draft instrument for electronic data entry

12. Tasks between Modules 2 and 3 Each participant must have completed their study, entered their data and validated their data set Each participant will also be encouraged to attend next module with a draft paper already written Participants send these to The Union before the course

13. Module 3 -Paper writing • Principles of writing scientific papers • Participants taken through how to write: title, abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, references, acknowledgements, key words • Learn how to do on-line submission • Learn how to deal with peer review, point-by-point responses and revision of paper • Learn how research may influence policy/practice Outcome: draft paper

14. Tasks after Module 3 • Finalise draft paper with mentor’s support • Submit paper to international peer-reviewed journal within two weeks of completing module 3

15. Operational Research Fellowships

16. 1. Specific responsibilities • Attend all three Operational research training modules • Work under mentorship of local + Union staff • Assume responsibility for research protocol development (including ethics submission), data collection and analysis

17. 1. Specific responsibilities (cont) • Paper written within 3 months of completion of research project • Present research findings at national and international conferences • Submit at least two papers per year to peer-reviewed journals

18. 2. Skills and competencies • Local health care personnel (doctors, paramedicals, nurses, data analysts) working in programmes, MOH or larger health care institutions • Nurses are encouraged to apply

19. 3. Selection process • Strong recommendations from respected colleagues • Strong support from directors of programmes or health institutions • Good curriculum vitae plus two excellent references

20. 4. Support • Performance-based financial support • One year contracts, renewable, can move from junior to senior fellowships • Performance- based: failure to submit 2 papers in 12-months in which fellow is first author = no renewal of contract

21. 4. Support (cont) • Support to attend the mandatory training course of three modules on OR • Support to attend national and international conferences where they will present their research • Support to submit their papers for consideration of a PhD

22. 5. Union Commitment • Support for up to 6 Operational Research Fellows for 2 years initially • Envisage long-term support

23. Conclusion about Training • This is target-orientated training • Product = papers that can influence policy and practice • Long term vision = capacity building and development of leadership in operational research. Expand coverage by training the trainers.

24. Centre for Operational Research – The Union and MSF Belgium • Anthony Harries • Hans Rieder • Don Enarson • Mary Edginton • Karen Bissell • Selma Berger • Nathalie Guillerm • Cécile Sevel • Tony Reid, MSF Belgium • Rony Zacariah, MSF Belgium

25. Response from Participants • Is there an interest for operationalresearch training in countries, in regions, for particular professions? • Doesthis Union/MSF approach fit withyourneeds? • Are you able to allocate or find the funding for these courses? Centre for OperationalResearch cor@theunion.org www.theunion.org