A structured approach to effective mentoring of women health researchers in Africa

Objectives: To formatively evaluate the HIGHER Women consortium's Mentor Protégée Program (MPP) and derive lessons for successful African women scientist mentorship. Design: Desk review of program documents and cross-sectional surveys of mentors and protégées. Setting: All 10 regions of Cameroon Participants: Women working in health research participating in the MPP. Interventions: Building health research skills and providing support for women to cope within the African psychosocial environment using a holistic approach. Main outcome measures: Formed mentor-protégés duos applying the MPP with measurable accomplishments. Results: The consortium counted 121 members with 103 protégées and 18 mentors. Of 103 protégées, 35 responded to the 2018 survey, while 77 responded to the 2022 survey. Mentioned benefits of the program included an increase in scientific peer-reviewed journal publications and presentations at national and international conferences. In the 2022 survey, a Pearson correlation showed an r of 0.41, which, although not statistically significant (p = .592), suggests a positive correlation between the increased number of peer-reviewed articles and increased number of years as HIGHER Women protégées. Conclusions: Mentorship programs can help over time to bridge the gender gaps within Africa as well as the gaps between African-led research and the rest of the world while making a meaningful contribution to enhancing the quality, diversity, and productivity of researchers. A mentoring program such as the HIGHER Women MPP can be improved by leveraging local and international partners to foster the mentoring program's sustainability, scalability, and expanded reach.

Determinants of research capacity and involvement of hospital dietitians in selected hospitals in Metro Manila

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Objective:</strong> This study aimed to: 1) describe the current state of research activity/involvement and capacity among selected tertiary level government and private hospital dietitians; 2) identify factors associated with research capacity and involvement; and 3) develop policy recommendations to improve the current research activity/involvement towards evidence-based practice among hospital dietitians.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Methods:</strong> This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. A total of randomly selected 181 hospital dietitians from selected hospitals in Metro Manila completed a pre-tested structured self-administered questionnaire, which elicited the socio-demographic characteristics, research activity/involvement, research capacity, perception, attitude and knowledge (PAK) of the respondents.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Descriptive statistics were generated. Pearson Correlation was determined between socio-demographic characteristics and research activity/involvement score and research capacity score. Linear multiple regression analysis was conducted to test whether perceptions, attitudes and knowledge score are factors that predicted research activity/involvement and research capacity.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Results:</strong> No significant difference was observed in hospital dietitians' research capacity scores based on gender, age, educational attainment, hospital affiliation, and job description. Majority (97%) of the hospital dietitians had very little participation (10%) or involvement in any type of research activity/involvement. The significant factors that were predictive of research activity/involvement scores and research capacity scores were percent of time for research and hours per week devoted to research, respectively. Percent of time for research was significantly predictive of research knowledge of respondents.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Conclusion:</strong> The findings in this present study showed the research activity/involvement and capacity of hospital dietitians in Metro Manila were dismally low. The significant factors that were predictive of research activity/involvement scores and research capacity scores were percent of time for research and hours per week devoted to research, respectively. To support the development of research capacity and involvement of hospital dietitians, policy-makers and healthcare organizations can optimize capability-building strategies at the academic level, hospital dietitian level, and institutional level.</p>

Academic Writing Peer-Support Group in Singapore Primary Care Setting: Before and After Study

@#Introduction: Academic journal publications enable widespread access to primary care research evidence. Good writing skills in primary care researchers are essential and can be nurtured within a peer-support academic writing group. We present the experience and outcomes of two academic writing groups, moderated by LKCMedicine faculty and involving Singapore’s primary care staff. Methods: The academic writing group had a peer-support, small group approach and consisted of six sessions held every three weeks. The participants completed a baseline and a follow-up survey with questions relating to participants’ demographics, research experience, aims at baseline as well as attitudes to an academic writing group and research successes at follow-up. Both surveys included the Research Spider questionnaire to assess participants’ change in research knowledge and skills. We analysed collated data using Wilcoxon signed-rank test, descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results: Of the 21 participants, most were female (62 percent), family physicians (43 percent) and involved in reviews or observational studies. At baseline, seven participants had a peer-reviewed publication and two attracted research funding. At follow-up, the analysis showed a significant improvement in research skill such as research protocol writing, use of qualitative research methods, publishing research, critically reviewing the literature, finding relevant literature and generating research ideas as per Research Spider. All participants appreciated the small group format and agreed that academic writing group was helpful, relevant and exceeded their expectations. Conclusion: The findings from the academic writing groups surveys convey a clear need and appreciation for academic writing support. The participants reported improvements in their research knowledge and skills and appreciation for this type of training.