Abstract
Purpose :
The process used during four decades to build research collaborations between developing country eye care providers and academic centers and NGOs in North America is described to offer guidance for further skill development efforts.
Methods :
A review was conducted of the epidemiologic, operational and clinical research conducted by or initiated through Seva Foundation and Seva Canada with its global partners over a 40 year period. The locally designed and implemented research was used to understand population-based eye care needs, to measure the effectiveness of community-based interventions and to improve quality of clinical services. Noted in the review are challenges to overcome, changes in the focus of research over time, and the contribution of the research to improving quality, quantity, and sustainability of eye care programs .
Results :
The initial research projects in the early 1980s involved heavy contributions from North American researchers who largely directed local colleagues in Nepal and India to conduct population-based as well as community – level interventions. Priority was placed on research to determine population needs and to improve the impact of services. Similar activities were developed with eye care programs in Tibetan areas of China and Cambodia starting in the mid 1990s and sub-Saharan Africa, beginning in 2001. With development of stronger local information systems, research shifted to quality and equity of care, its cost, and health services management issues required to scale eye care. Research broadened from an initial focus on cataract blindness to comprehensive eye health. Most recently, local partners took on large scale program multi-centric inquiries as part of the Global Sight Initiative. Regardless of the decade or topic, the collaborative work enhanced critical thinking skills, technical English language writing and application of the scientific method.
Conclusions :
Long term investment was needed to build research skills. Efforts flourished when approached at three levels: the individual researcher, creation of the research unit, and global collaboration across units. Through this systematic development process the importance of rigorous inquiry can be embedded within developing country based eye care institutions which are in the best position to frame and conduct such research.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.