Schouw Darcelle, Mash Robert, Ameh Pius, Fatusin Bolatito B, Engmann Stephen
Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.
Department of Family Medicine, Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, Nigeria.
Prim Health Care Res Dev. 2025 Jan 9;26:e3. doi: 10.1017/S146342362400063X.
Research is needed to improve the performance of primary health care. In Africa, few family physicians conduct research, and therefore an online research training and mentorship programme was developed to build research capacity amongst novice and early career researchers.
To evaluate the implementation of the AfriWon Research Collaborative (ARC) training and e-mentorship programme in sub-Saharan Africa.
A 10-module online curriculum was supported by peer and faculty e-mentorship, to mentor participants in writing a research protocol. A convergent mixed methods study combined quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate nine implementation outcomes.
Fifty-three participants (20 mentees, 19 peer mentors, and 14 faculty mentors), mostly male (70%), participated in the ARC online programme. The programme was seen as an acceptable and appropriate initiative. Mentees were mostly postgraduate students from African countries. Faculty mentors were mostly experienced researchers from outside of Africa. There were issues with team selection, orientation, communication, and role clarification. Only 35% of the mentees completed the programme. Alignment of mentoring in teams and engagement with the online learning materials was an issue. Costs were relatively modest and dependent on donor funds.
Despite many challenges, the majority of participants supported the sustainability of the programme. The evaluation highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the ARC programme and e-mentoring. The ARC working group needed to ensure better organization and leadership of the teams. Going forward the programme should focus more on developing peer mentors and local supervisory capacity as well as the mentees.
需要开展研究以提高初级卫生保健的绩效。在非洲，很少有家庭医生进行研究，因此开发了一个在线研究培训和指导计划，以培养新手和早期职业研究人员的研究能力。
评估撒哈拉以南非洲地区的非洲赢得研究协作组织（ARC）培训和电子指导计划的实施情况。
一个由10个模块组成的在线课程得到了同行和教员的电子指导支持，以指导参与者撰写研究方案。一项收敛性混合方法研究结合了定量和定性数据，以评估9个实施成果。
53名参与者（20名学员、19名同行导师和14名教员导师）参加了ARC在线计划，其中大多数为男性（70%）。该计划被视为一项可接受且合适的举措。学员大多是来自非洲国家的研究生。教员导师大多是来自非洲以外的经验丰富的研究人员。在团队选择、培训、沟通和角色明确方面存在问题。只有35%的学员完成了该计划。团队指导与在线学习材料的参与度存在问题。成本相对适中，且依赖于捐助资金。
尽管面临诸多挑战，但大多数参与者支持该计划的可持续性。评估突出了ARC计划和电子指导的优势与不足。ARC工作组需要确保对团队进行更好的组织和领导。未来，该计划应更多地侧重于培养同行导师和当地监督能力以及学员。
