Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health

Volume 2, Issue 3, September 2012, Pages 125 - 133

Global teaching and training initiatives for emerging cohort studies

Authors
Jessica K. Paulusa, b, *, jpaulus@hsph.harvard.edu, Rocío Santoyo-Vistrainc, David Havelicka, Amy Cohena, Robert Kalyesubulad, Ikeoluwapo O. Ajayie, Jens G. Mattssonf, Hans-Olov Adamia, Shona Dalala
aHarvard School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, United States
bTufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute, 800 Washington Street #63, Boston, MA 02111, United States
cNational Institute of Public Health of Mexico, 7a Cerrada Fray Pedro de Gante #50, Col. Sección XVI, Delegación Tlalpan, Cd. México 14100, Mexico
dMakerere University College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, 7072 Kampala, Uganda
eDepartment of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
fNational Veterinary Institute, SE-741 89 Uppsala, Sweden
*Corresponding author at: 800 Washington Street #63, Boston, MA 02111, United States. Tel.: +1 617 636 7792.
Corresponding Author
Jessica K. Paulusjpaulus@hsph.harvard.edu
Received 9 April 2012, Revised 3 July 2012, Accepted 5 July 2012, Available Online 15 September 2012.
DOI
10.1016/j.jegh.2012.07.001How to use a DOI?
Keywords
Cohort studies; Non-communicable diseases; Training; Mentorship; Teaching; Public health education; Medical education; Epidemiology
Abstract

A striking disparity exists across the globe, with essentially no large-scale longitudinal studies ongoing in regions that will be significantly affected by the oncoming non-communicable disease epidemic. The successful implementation of cohort studies in most low-resource research environments presents unique challenges that may be aided by coordinated training programs. Leaders of emerging cohort studies attending the First World Cohort Integration Workshop were surveyed about training priorities, unmet needs and potential cross-cohort solutions to these barriers through an electronic pre-workshop questionnaire and focus groups. Cohort studies representing India, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa, Sweden, Tanzania and Uganda described similar training needs, including on-the-job training, data analysis software instruction, and database and bio-bank management. A lack of funding and protected time for training activities were commonly identified constraints. Proposed solutions include a collaborative cross-cohort teaching platform with web-based content and interactive teaching methods for a range of research personnel. An international network for research mentorship and idea exchange, and modifying the graduate thesis structure were also identified as key initiatives. Cross-cohort integrated educational initiatives will efficiently meet shared needs, catalyze the development of emerging cohorts, speed closure of the global disparity in cohort research, and may fortify scientific capacity development in low-resource settings.

Copyright
© 2012 Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Open Access
Open access under CC BY-NC-ND license. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

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Journal
Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health
Volume-Issue
2 - 3
Pages
125 - 133
Publication Date
2012/09/15
ISSN (Online)
2210-6014
ISSN (Print)
2210-6006
DOI
10.1016/j.jegh.2012.07.001How to use a DOI?
Copyright
© 2012 Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Open Access
Open access under CC BY-NC-ND license. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Cite this article

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Jessica K. Paulus
AU  - Rocío Santoyo-Vistrain
AU  - David Havelick
AU  - Amy Cohen
AU  - Robert Kalyesubula
AU  - Ikeoluwapo O. Ajayi
AU  - Jens G. Mattsson
AU  - Hans-Olov Adami
AU  - Shona Dalal
PY  - 2012
DA  - 2012/09/15
TI  - Global teaching and training initiatives for emerging cohort studies
JO  - Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health
SP  - 125
EP  - 133
VL  - 2
IS  - 3
SN  - 2210-6014
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jegh.2012.07.001
DO  - 10.1016/j.jegh.2012.07.001
ID  - Paulus2012
ER  -