Virtual Health Research Capacity Strengthening in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Integrative Review

Chelsea M. McGuire; Nikolina Boskovic; Bolatito Betty Fatusin; Pius Ameh; Taylor Reed; Priyanka Jethwani; David Flynn; Jo Cooke; Robert Saper

doi:10.5334/aogh.4543

Virtual Health Research Capacity Strengthening in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Integrative Review

Volume 91 (2025): Issue 1

By: Chelsea M. McGuire , Nikolina Boskovic , Bolatito Betty Fatusin , Pius Ameh , Taylor Reed, Priyanka Jethwani, David Flynn , Jo Cooke and Robert Saper

Open Access

|Mar 2025

Abstract

Background: Effective and scalable strategies are needed to develop health research capacity in low- and middle‑income countries (LMICs). Health research capacity strengthening (HRCS) focuses on boosting production and utilization of health research, with clinicians as key target participants. Despite the increased prevalence of virtual HRCS programs, there has been no review of the evidence for those targeting LMIC clinicians to date.

Objective: This review characterizes the use of virtual tools in HRCS programs for clinicians in LMICs and describes the impacts, facilitators, and barriers associated with these programs.

Methods: Following our protocol (PROSPERO; CRD42020152510), we employed an integrative review methodology. We adapted Cooke’s Research Capacity Development for Impact framework by adding “equity” as a new domain and used it to evaluate programmatic impacts. We retrieved relevant articles from five databases and gray literature. Included articles were extracted and stratified by degree of virtual delivery. We analyzed virtual tool usage via content analysis. Using NVivo, we coded until theoretical saturation and analyzed data using the constant comparison method.

Findings: From 1397 articles, 58 met inclusion criteria. Most programs were hybrid, and e‑courses were the most used virtual tool. Articles described impacts across all framework domains; the most discussed were skills and confidence building. Facilitators included user‑friendly platforms, interactive content, and strategies to improve program access, including financial and technological support. Some programs incorporated hybrid strategies to foster trust among participants and virtual mentors. Barriers included a lack of or an unfavorable local research culture.

Conclusions: Recommendations from this review may guide the design and implementation of virtual HRCS programs for LMIC clinicians. These include selecting well‑fitted program participants, intentionally designing program structure and content, conducting needs assessments or pilots, incorporating equity as a programmatic target, ensuring longitudinal program evaluation and monitoring, and utilizing a comprehensive conceptualization of program sustainability.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/aogh.4543 | Journal eISSN: 2214-9996

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Language: English

Submitted on: Sep 23, 2024

Accepted on: Feb 1, 2025

Published on: Mar 11, 2025

Published by: Ubiquity Press

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 1 issue per year

Keywords:

health research,

capacity strengthening,

LMICs,

© 2025 Chelsea M. McGuire, Nikolina Boskovic, Bolatito Betty Fatusin, Pius Ameh, Taylor Reed, Priyanka Jethwani, David Flynn, Jo Cooke, Robert Saper, published by Ubiquity Press
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 91 (2025): Issue 1