The Rural Research Capacity Building Program: developing research skills in rural health workers

The Rural Research Capacity Building Program (RRCBP) commenced in 2006 and is an initiative of the NSW Institute of Rural Clinical Services and Teaching (NSW IRCST). It aims to develop research skills in rural health workers through participation in a structured program based on principles of capacity building.¹ Intakes close annually in June, and following a formal selection process, candidates accepted into the program are provided with face to face and telephone based teaching, project development support, mentoring and 97 paid backfill days over two years. Candidates are expected to submit their proposal for ethical review, undertake the research and publish a report in that timeframe.

Since 2006, NSW IRCST has accepted 84 people into the RRCBP over four intakes. Twenty one have completed all program requirements. Six have submitted their final reports for review and 38 candidates are active in the program. Nineteen candidates have withdrawn.

During initial training, self assessment on a five point scale of experience with ten research skills was determined using a ‘research spider’.² This measure is repeated at month 18 and again at completion of the program. A two-tailed paired test was used to compare results. Combined results from the 2006 and 2007 cohorts yielded significant results for all ten measures for month one and month 18 (n=33), and month one and completion (n=15). This supports findings from ‘graduation interviews’ conducted with candidates, where many described the satisfaction of extending themselves, learning and applying new knowledge and finishing the research and final report.

While the overall program is coordinated by NSW IRCST, its delivery relies on partnerships with other organisations such as the NSW PHC Collaboration, the Australian Rural Health Research Collaboration and the support of the rural Area Health Services.

More information on the RRCBP including evaluation and completed research reports can be found on our website <www.ircst.health.nsw.gov.au/initiatives/building_rural_research_capacity>

References

1. NSW Health Department. (2001). A Framework for Building Capacity to Improve Health. Sydney: Better Health Centre.
2. Smith H, Wright D, Morgan S, Dunleavey J, Moore M. (2002). The 'Research Spider': a simple method of assessing research experience. Primary Health Care Research and Development, 3, 139-140.