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SICARD - third international congress of the Ivorian Cardiac society - Training by CRENC

Building and Strengthening Capacity for Cardiovascular Research in Africa

It is vital for any African institution to develop a critical mass of clinicians that can effectively do research and publish their findings. The Clinical Research Education Networking and Consultancy (CRENC), a Cameroon-based research organization, was established to improve skill acquisition in research in Africa by developing research priorities and training African clinical researchers in partnership with stakeholders with similar vision.

The CRENC organized a training workshop during the third international congress of the Ivorian Cardiac society (SICARD) held at Afrikland Hotel, Abidjan, from 09 to 11th of May 2017. This half day training session brought together a selected group of 50 participants, most of whom were cardiologists. It included a pre-test, lectures on how to ask a research question, study designs, and how to write and publish a scientific paper, as well as a post-test.

The course began at 2pm with an opening speech from the Chair, Professor Yves Yapobi. Dr M. Abanda then coordinated the administration of pre-test multiple choice questions. These comprised six questions on how to ask a research question, five questions on research study designs and 15 questions on how to write and publish a scientific paper.

After administration of the pre-test, Anastase Dzudie presented the objectives of the course in which included equipping clinicians and other health professionals with methodological skills needed to conduct a clinical research from asking a research question through choosing the best study design, to publishing their research findings in a peer-reviewed journal. He also presented the CRENC as an international organization made of medical researchers and clinicians with the vision of enhancing the practice of evidence-based medicine in Africa via research.

Dr Dzudie in his presentation on how to ask a research question reiterated that a research question is the starting point of every study. The key message from this presentation was that a research question must be one which is relevant, feasible, specific, ethical and whose answers will add to existing knowledge on the topic in question.

In his presentation on study designs focused on how a research question dictates the study design, Dr Dzekem enlightened participants on what a study design is, various types of study designs and why choosing the correct study design is important. Using popular studies such as the May measurement month (MMM), the INTERHEART study, the Framingham study, the PAPUCO study, the INVICTUS and CREOLE trials for illustration, he showed how a research question can be used to select the appropriate study design as well as their advantages and disadvantages. He concluded that the choice of study design depends on research goals, researchers’ beliefs and values, researchers’ skills, availability of time and resources, and research questions.

Building on his experience as editor for several journals, this presentation by Dr Dzudie focused on how to avoid pitfalls in preparing manuscripts, the natural life cycle of a scientific manuscript and how to get a scientific paper published in a medical journal. His key messages were the following:

  • An unpublished work has no value, and is unethical
  • Publishing begins as early as when the protocol is written, and not after the study has been completed
  • Patience and perseverance are the key for the success of a manuscript

He concluded by insisting on the relevance of team building and leadership in research and offering a word of thanks to participants and the SICARD.

Following the presentations, the CRENC team answered several questions from the audience not only on the presented topics, but on research as a whole. Dr M Abanda coordinated the administration of the post-test. The chair of the session in his closing speech acknowledged the CRENC team and all the participants in the training session.

Africa’s needs for research capacity building are huge. But with a good vision, clear objectives and a support for a multilevel team driving the strategy, the change is possible. CRENC’s belief is that if identified earlier in their career and appropriately trained, talented individuals will lead research programs at their institutions, resulting in increased research productivity. This is fundamental to generate research evidence that will guide policy, strengthen good medical practice and maximize use of resources to improve health care on the continent.

 

By Bonaventure Dzekem, MD

SICARD - third international congress of the Ivorian Cardiac society - Training by CRENC - Trainees

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SICARD - third international congress of the Ivorian Cardiac society - Training by CRENC - Dr Dzudie Anastase

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