Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: The Caribbean region requires a cadre of trained health scientists to review existing research and provide evidence based recommendations to address regional needs. We report on efforts to establish a Cochrane branch through our membership within the International Clinical Epidemiology Network (INCLEN) to address this deficiency.
Methods: A fellowship training programme facilitated through a scholarship grant from the Canadian Bureau of International Education and an INCLEN partner was used to train a suitable candidate for this process. Training was carried out at the Center for Global Health, University of Ottawa over a 4 to 6 month period and focused on systematic review (SR) author training, programme development in evidence based medicine and capacity building and networking.
Results: We have co-authored one published SR, one protocol, one peer reviewed manuscript and are currently in the process of updating one SR and authoring two others. One poster was presented at the 2010 Cochrane Colloquium and an editorial published on The Cochrane library. Within the ambit of programme development, we have adapted a SR module for amalgamation within the University of the West Indies MSc Epidemiology and delivered a module to one cohort of students. We made links with the Pan American Health Organization, The International Initiative for Impact Evaluations and several Cochrane entities. We aim to achieve a mass of six trained individuals by conducting SR workshops and collaborating with INCLEN partners to host fellowships and establishing networks to help sustain activity.
Conclusions: This experience responds to a growing and unique need for evidence based healthcare in developing countries. Capacity building activities such as fellowships and regional training workshops are viable avenues for developing the required cadre for the Caribbean region. The concept and execution could serve as a model for the developing world.
Methods: A fellowship training programme facilitated through a scholarship grant from the Canadian Bureau of International Education and an INCLEN partner was used to train a suitable candidate for this process. Training was carried out at the Center for Global Health, University of Ottawa over a 4 to 6 month period and focused on systematic review (SR) author training, programme development in evidence based medicine and capacity building and networking.
Results: We have co-authored one published SR, one protocol, one peer reviewed manuscript and are currently in the process of updating one SR and authoring two others. One poster was presented at the 2010 Cochrane Colloquium and an editorial published on The Cochrane library. Within the ambit of programme development, we have adapted a SR module for amalgamation within the University of the West Indies MSc Epidemiology and delivered a module to one cohort of students. We made links with the Pan American Health Organization, The International Initiative for Impact Evaluations and several Cochrane entities. We aim to achieve a mass of six trained individuals by conducting SR workshops and collaborating with INCLEN partners to host fellowships and establishing networks to help sustain activity.
Conclusions: This experience responds to a growing and unique need for evidence based healthcare in developing countries. Capacity building activities such as fellowships and regional training workshops are viable avenues for developing the required cadre for the Caribbean region. The concept and execution could serve as a model for the developing world.