The WHO Commission on Macroeconomics and Health estimates that investing in global health will save lives, increase social productivity, and generate a gain at least 5 times higher than the investment. One of the important areas needing increased investment is research and development. Despite worldwide promotion of evidence-based decision making at all levels of the health system, strengthening research capacity in developing regions remains one of the world’s unmet challenges.
The Vietnam’s national health plan towards 2015 lists ten key tasks, and included are developing health human resources (upgrading training and promoting research) and improving health information system (strengthening data collection and analysis skills).
Given the necessity of research capacity development, Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy and Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University, started an intensive epidemiology training course (short-term full-time type) in 2004. The course was built on an experience of Population Council’s training course (long-term short-time type, 2001-2002), which was managed by Japanese and Vietnamese project managers of the present project. Following successful implementation of four courses as a university-certified post-graduation training, the project obtained financial support from the JICA Partnership Program in 2010-2012 and accreditations from the Ho Chi Minh City Medical Association and Japan Epidemiological Association. During the three years, three courses were carried out as the Ho Chi Minh City’s Continuous Medical Education accredited course.
A total 265 physicians completed the JICA funded courses and the most voiced that the course was useful and they wanted to attend, again. Challenges we faced were; 1) unsystematic recruitment and selection of participants, 2) a few participants from remote areas, and 3) limited experience of local instructors in publishing research findings and 4) in reflecting the findings into practice.
In this second stage of the JICA project, we aim to further upgrade the course with technical supports from Hanoi School of Public Health. This upgrading is to 1) improve course management, 2) outreach wider regions in the South of Vietnam, 3) improve teaching skills of local instructors, and 4) better connect research and health services.
Overall Goal: To promote “evidence-based” public health and medical services for health promotion and social revitalization in the South of Vietnam.
Project Purpose: To improve medical professionals’ knowledge and skills to provide evidence-based services and to scientifically evaluate needs of service users in the South of Vietnam.
1.Graduates of the training course analyze their clients data and utilize scientific evidence in their clinical works.
2.Graduates of the training course present their research results at conferences and in academic journals.
Here are some highlights from the past.
In August, 2010, Japanese team visited Ho Chi Minh City to visit Ho Chi Minh City Medical Association, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City and Nguyen Tri Phuong Hospital to discuss activity plans.
In the picture; Professor Yasumura, Seiji (Professor of the Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine) greeting Prof. Tran Diep Tuan (Vice Rector of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City) and Prof. Nguyen Thy Khue (Vice Chair of Ho Chi Minh City Medical Association).
In the picture; Meeting at Ho Chi Minh City Medical Association.
In November, 2010, the First Evidence-based Medicine Training-of-Trainers for Vietnamese core members of the project was organized at the Fukushima Medical University.
In the picture; Vietnamese delegation visited Fukushima Prefectural Office.
In the picture; Closing ceremony of the First Evidence-based Medicine Training-of-Trainers at Fukushima Medical University.
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FUKUSHIMA MEDICAL UNIVERSITY |
