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You are here:- Home : Capacity Building

INCLEN Capacity Building Initiatives

Research Capacity Strengthening

INCLEN has strengthened research capacity by:

Developing and sustaining indigenous proficiency for health research in developing countries through training programs in clinical epidemiology and related research disciplines; providing institutional support and building a "critical mass" or cadre of trained faculty; and using multidisciplinary and "networking" approaches to reinforce and enhance research skills.

INCLEN has partnered with a number of public and private organizations to address gaps in building research capacity and also developed its own programs to address global needs.
Research capacity strengthening is an integral part of all network studies.

Leadership and Management Program (LAMP)

INCLEN Knowledge 'Plus' Program (K+)

Virtual Campus - VC

Leadership and Management Program
Background

With the creation in October 2000 of the INCLEN Trust, an exciting third phase begins in INCLEN's development. Its new mission is: RESEARCH AND TRAINING FOR IMPROVING EQUITY, EFFICIENCY AND QUALITY IN HEALTH CARE. The new Board of Trustees (BOT) of the INCLEN Trust has identified four strategic program directions: regionalization; leadership development (including management competencies); research and capacity building; and partnership building and networking. Since effective leadership is relevant to the other three program directions, the BOT at its March 2001 meeting launched a "Leadership & Management Program" (LAMP), to be managed by a core planning group.

Goal

The LAMP is designed to reinforce the values and goals of the "new INCLEN", and therefore has the following special features:

  • the inclusion of cross-cultural elements, to reflect INCLEN's regional diversity;
  • the use of strategies tailored to the realities of participants who are mostly "part-time" professional peers;
  • an emphasis on partnership development with other "like-minded" organizations.
    • Participants

    Priority will be given to current INCLEN leaders, particularly regional presidents/coordinators, directors of clinical epidemiology units (CEU's), and principal investigators. There also may be opportunities for partnerships with other organizations who share similar training objectives. In addition, a special future initiative will explore opportunities for "emerging" leaders or "prime movers"--this will likely take the form of a fellowship program.

    Competencies to be Emphasized

    A preliminary indication of the relevant competencies is reflected in the list of modules currently under development; they include the following:

  • Introduction to Leadership and Management
  • Strategic Planning for Research and Development: vision development, advocacy, demand creation, fund-raising, and priority setting;
  • Coalition Building and Teamwork: human resource management, mentoring, succession planning, and conflict resolution;
  • Knowledge Management: the use of appropriate information & communication technology, and the design and use of purpose-specific data bases;
  • Communication: public speaking, negotiation, and writing of reports, publications, policy briefs, and other relevant communications;
  • Management Competencies: project management, time management, and financial management.
    • Methods and Strategies
    The LAMP will feature the following methods and strategies:
  • A "learning while doing" problem-based approach--this will include an analysis of the participant's own professional situation and the specific elements which he or she would like to change. In addition, relevant case studies will be used; most of these will be derived directly from the INCLEN experience.
  • The use of modules to be available in both print and electronic forms. Each module will include: a brief overview, a concept paper (providing a more detailed description), a variety of "tools", and case studies.
  • A variety of events, such as inter-active workshops. These events will complement the learning processes already underway through individualized study and mentoring.
  • Senior mentors will be recruited to work with program participants; the mentors will provide encouragement, advice and guidance to LAMP participants.

    • Leadership and Management Program Modules

    Module Title
    1
    Strategic Planning
    2
    Team and Coalition Building
    3
    Time Management
    4
    Locating, Appraising and Referencing Research on the Web
    5
    Efficient Email
    6
    E-conferencing
    7
    Mentoring

    8

    Governance Module

    9

    Research to Policy Module
    Resource Guide
    1
    		 Financial Management
    2
    		 Project Management
    Manual
    Budgeting and Accounting Manual

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    INCLEN Knowledge ‘Plus’ Program (K+)

    The objective of INCLEN’s Knowledge ‘Plus’ Project is to improve health of poor people through the development, dissemination, and implementation of research driven health practice guidelines. The program identifies priority health problems and relevant available knowledge regarding such problems; appraises knowledge for efficacy, effectiveness and efficiency; implements, monitors and evaluates respective K+ packages. The ‘Plus’ consists of improved tools for assessing local appropriateness and equity including the use of tacit knowledge. Two topics have been chosen for Phase 1: Acute respiratory tract infections in children under five years old and management of tuberculosis. Filter tools for validity and equity have been developed along with an INCLEN K+ database. INCLEN has developed seven steps for the program:

    Step 1: Identification of priority health problems and potential clients.
    Step 2: Identification of available relevant knowledge
    Step 3: Appraisal of efficacy, effectiveness and efficiency
    Step 4: Filters for local appropriateness and equity
    Step 5: Preparation of knowledge ‘Plus’ packages
    Step 6: Dissemination and implementation
    Step 7: Development of tools to monitor and evaluate outcomes

    K+ is expected to achieve a high specificity and level of integration of “best appropriate practices” and is designed to inform policy makers, health care providers and the general public.

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    Virtual Campus - VC

    The International Clinical Epidemiology Network (INCLEN) proposes to create and deliver a Global Virtual Campus for Health Research (GVC-Health) to build indigenous health research capacity to positively impact the health of the public in developing countries and to strengthen the links between knowledge generation, health policy and action.

    Developing countries have limited resources for health care. It is crucial that scarce resources are utilized for development of health care systems that maximize both effectiveness and efficiency in order to make the greatest possible health impact.

    Developing countries need professionals who not only possess health care research abilities but outstanding leadership and management skills, such as priority setting, knowledge management and coalition building. To meet these overwhelming demands, a major rethink is necessary for capacity development strategies for the developing world.

    Established in 1979 and comprised of 70 research and training centers in 28 countries, INCLEN will harness advancements in information technology and the expertise of its worldwide faculty to develop innovative educational programs in applied health research and leadership and management.

    Goals and Objectives

    The overall goal of GVC-Health is to strengthen health research systems in the developing world by rapidly expanding the cadre of healthcare professionals through harnessing the most recent advancements in information technology and INCLEN’s global network of 7 regions and 70 research and training centers.

    Specifically the Virtual Campus aims to:
  • Develop and adapt online/onsite courses and consultations in applied health research and leadership and management
  • Attain a uniform global standard for training in applied health research
  • Provide a sustainable, problem-based and e-learning environment, and
  • Build capacity and advance capability for the translation of research results into policies, programs, and practice that will improve the quality of life of people in developing countries.
    • Project Design

    The virtual campus is a web-based organization that uses third-generation methods of distance education built upon the most current ICT.

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