Research capacity and training needs for non-communicable diseases in the public health arena in Turkey

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of this study is to define the research capacity and training needs for professionals working on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the public health arena in Turkey.MethodsThis study was part of a comparative cross-national research capacity-building project taking place across Turkey and the Mediterranean Middle East (RESCAP-Med, funded by the EU). Identification of research capacity and training needs took place in three stages. The first stage involved mapping health institutions engaged in NCD research, based on a comprehensive literature review. The second stage entailed in-depth interviews with key informants (KIs) with an overview of research capacity in public health and the training needs of their staff. The third stage required interviewing junior researchers, identified by KIs in stage two, to evaluate their perceptions of their own training needs. The approach we have taken was based upon a method devised by Hennessy&Hicks. In total, 55 junior researchers identified by 10 KIs were invited to participate, of whom 46 researchers agreed to take part (84%). The specific disciplines in public health identified in advance by RESCAP-MED for training were: advanced epidemiology, health economics, environmental health, medical sociology-anthropology, and health policy.ResultsThe initial literature review showed considerable research on NCDs, but concentrated in a few areas of NCD research. The main problems listed by KIs were inadequate opportunities for specialization due to heavy teaching workloads, the lack of incentives to pursue research, a lack of financial resources even when interest existed, and insufficient institutional mechanisms for dialogue between policy makers and researchers over national research priorities. Among junior researchers, there was widespread competence in basic epidemiological skills, but an awareness of gaps in knowledge of more advanced epidemiological skills, and the opportunities to acquire these skills were lacking. Self-assessed competencies in each of the four other disciplines considered revealed greater training needs, especially regarding familiarity with the qualitative research skills for medical anthropology/sociology.ConclusionsIn Turkey there are considerable strengths to build upon. But a combination of institutional disincentives for research, and the lack of opportunities for the rising generation of researchers to acquire advanced training skills.

Health Research Capacities in Palestine: High-quality and Proper Knowledge Transfer and Translation for Sound Decision-making

“…However, HRSCS remains one of the world's unmet challenges in developing countries [20] in particular in the context of the 10/90 gap; that less than 10% of global resources for HR addressed health problems in developing countries, where over 90% of preventable deaths occurred [21]. The 10/90 gap, has essentially remained the same nearly three decades after the gap was first identified, has significant consequences; not only is HRSC not strengthened in low-resources countries, but there are, as a result, relatively relevant findings of major gaps in HRSC can also be applied to policy processes, clinical practices, and monitoring and evaluation of research results and outputs generally and in sub-Saharan Africa [22].…”

“…Across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, HR faces critical deficits in governance, resources, and capacity in terms of knowledge production, dissemination, and application [11,22].…”

Context-led capacity building in time of crisis: fostering non-communicable diseases (NCD) research skills in the Mediterranean Middle East and North Africa

“…While RESCAP-MED had identified the range of disciplines and fields to cover in training workshops, we devised a training needs assessment (TNA) for partners to extend their knowledge of perceived gaps and training needs within their countries. TNA were completed in Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Tunisia, and Turkey (see [43] for Turkish analysis and overall design of TNA). Syrian counterparts completed the first phase of the TNA, the mapping of health institutions, but were forced to discontinue the remaining phases as the political and security situation in Syria deteriorated in 2012.…”

A vision to strengthen resources and capacity of the Palestinian health research system: a qualitative assessment

“…This scene not only hampers any HR development effort but also threatens the continuity of public services, particularly education and health. Furthermore and as another study revealed, in view of capacity gaps, building a robust HRS will be unattainable as long as we lack a governing framework, strategic thinking in resources and capacity allocation, and sustainable investment for HR (4,21,33). In recent years, a growing number of projects have supported the Palestinian HR capacity through international and local parties, for instance, European Union-Horizon 2020, academic partnerships, UN agencies, the Islamic Development Bank, governments (such as Palestinian-French joint committee, the Palestinian-German Science Bridge, Palestine-Quebec Science Bridge, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health through Norway's Minister of Foreign Affairs, and others), Qatar Charity, Welfare Association, and local private sector (including banks, pharmaceuticals companies, and businessmen).…”

“…Regionally, HR across the Middle East and North Africa region faces critical deficits, most notably are governance, resources, and capacity of the knowledge production and application (4,21). Similar deficits exist in Palestine with insufficient understandings and conceptualizations about the reality of HR potentials.…”