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

Pang T, Sadana R, Hanney S, et al. Knowledge for better health: A conceptual framework and foundation for health research systems. Bull World Health Organ. 2003;81(11):815–820.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Lansang MA, Dennis R. Building capacity in health research in the developing world. Bull World Health Organ. 2004;82(10):764–770.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Dean L, Gregorius S, Bates I, Pulford J. Advancing the science of health research capacity strengthening in low‑income and middle‑income countries: A scoping review of the published literature, 2000–2016. BMJ Open. 2017;7(12):e018718. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018718.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Franzen SRP, Chandler C, Lang T. Health research capacity development in low and middle income countries: Reality or rhetoric? A systematic meta‑narrative review of the qualitative literature. BMJ Open. 2017;7(1):e012332. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012332.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Bowsher G, Papamichail A, El Achi N, et al. A narrative review of health research capacity strengthening in low and middle‑income countries: Lessons for conflict‑affected areas. Glob Health. 2019;15(1):23. doi:10.1186/s12992-019-0465-y.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Wright M da GM, Caufield C, Gray G, et al. International nursing leadership related to the drugs phenomenon: A case study of the partnership experience between the Inter‑American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) and the University of Alberta—Faculty of Nursing. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem. 2005;13(spe2)1102–1117. doi:10.1590/S0104-11692005000800003.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Edwards N, Webber J, Mill J, Kahwa E, Roelofs S. Building capacity for nurse‑led research. Int Nurs Rev. 2009;56(1):88–94. 10.1111/j.1466-7657.2008.00683.x.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ponka D, Coffman M, Fraser‑Barclay KE, et al. Fostering global primary care research: A capacity‑building approach. BMJ Glob Health. 2020;5(7):e002470. doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2020-002470.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Aggarwal R, Gupte N, Kass N, et al. A comparison of online versus on‑site training in health research methodology: A randomized study. BMC Med Educ. 2011;11(1):37. doi:10.1186/1472-6920-11-37.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Matus J, Walker A, Mickan S. Research capacity building frameworks for allied health professionalsa systematic review. BMC Health Serv Res. 2018;18(1):716. doi:10.1186/s12913-018-3518-7.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Mickan S, Wenke R, Weir K, Bialocerkowski A, Noble C. Strategies for research engagement of clinicians in allied health (STRETCH): A mixed methods research protocol. BMJ Open. 2017;7(9):e014876–e014876. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-014876.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Yanos PT, Ziedonis DM. The patient‑oriented clinician‑researcher: Advantages and challenges of being a double agent. Psychiatr Serv Wash DC. 2006;57(2):249–253. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.57.2.249.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Cooke J. A framework to evaluate research capacity building in health care. BMC Fam Pract. 2005;6:44. doi:10.1186/1471-2296-6-44.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Minja H, Nsanzabana C, Maure C. Impact of health research capacity strengthening in low‑ and middle‑income countries: The case of who/TDR programmes. BMC Fam Pract. 2011;5(10):e1351. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0001351.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ghaffar A, IJsselmuiden C, Zicker F. Research capacity strengthening in low‑ and middle‑income countries. Global Health Action. 2009;9.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
McGuire CM, Yakubu K, Ayisi‑Boateng NK, et al. Exploring gaps, strategies, and solutions for primary care research mentorship in the African context: A workshop report. Afr J Prim Health Care Fam Med. 2020;12(1):4. doi:10.4102/phcfm.v12i1.2320.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Bollinger RC, McKenzie‑White J, Gupta A. Building a global health education network for clinical care and research: The benefits and challenges of distance learning tools. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2011;25(2):385–398. doi:10.1016/j.idc.2011.02.006.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Braunschweiger P, Goodman KW. The CITI program: An international online resource for education in human subjects protection and the responsible conduct of research. Acad Med. 2007;82(9):861–864. doi:10.1097/ACM.0b013e31812f7770.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Long LA, Pariyo G, Kallander K. Digital technologies for health workforce development in low‑ and middle‑income countries: A scoping review. Glob Health Sci Pract. 2018;6(Suppl 1):S41–S48. doi:10.9745/GHSP-D-18-00167.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Frehywot S, Vovides Y, Talib Z, et al. E‑learning in medical education in resource‑constrained low‑ and middle‑income countries. Hum Resour Health. 2013;11(1):4. doi:10.1186/1478-4491-11-4.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
McGuire CM, Fatusin BB, Kodicherla H, et al. Implementation of online research training and mentorship for sub‑Saharan African family physicians. Ann Glob Health. 2021;87(1):13. doi:10.5334/aogh.3171.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Cooke J. Building research capacity for impact in applied health services research partnerships: Comment on “Experience of health leadership in partnering with university‑based researchers in Canada—a call to ‘re‑imagine’ research”. Int J Health Policy Manag. Published online. 2020;1. doi:10.15171/ijhpm.2020.11.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Whittemore R, Knafl K. The integrative review: Updated methodology. J Adv Nurs. 2005;52(5):546–553. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2648.2005.03621.x.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
McGuire C, Boskovic N, Reed T. The use of virtual tools for health research capacity strengthening among clinicians in low‑ and middle‑income countries (LMIC): A systematic integrative review. PROSPERO: International prospective register of systematic reviews. 2021. Accessed July 28, 2021. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=152510&VersionID=1497818.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‑analyses: The PRISMA statement. Ann Intern Med. 2009;151(4):264–269. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-151-4-200908180-00135.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Mugabo L, Rouleau D, Odhiambo J, et al. Approaches and impact of non‑academic research capacity strengthening training models in sub‑Saharan Africa: A systematic review. Health Res Policy Syst. 2015;13:30. doi:10.1186/s12961-015-0017-8.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Moran AM, Coyle J, Pope R, Boxall D, Nancarrow SA, Young J. Supervision, support, and mentoring interventions for health practitioners in rural and remote contexts: An integrative review and thematic synthesis of the literature to identify mechanisms for successful outcomes. Hum Resour Health. 2014;12(1):10. doi:10.1186/1478-4491-12-10.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
World Wide Web Foundation. History of the web. Accessed July 7, 2021. https://webfoundation.org/about/vision/history-of-the-web/.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Bates I, Akoto AYO, Ansong D, et al. Evaluating health research capacity building: An evidence‑based tool. PLoS Med. 2006;3(8):e299. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0030299.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
ESSENCE on Health Research. Planning, monitoring, and evaluation framework for research capacity strengthening. 2016. https://www.who.int/tdr/partnerships/essence/en/.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Pratt B, Hyder AA. Global justice and health systems research in low‑ and middle‑income countries. J Law Med Ethics. 2015;43(1):143–161. doi:10.1111/jlme.12202.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Cole DC, Boyd A, Aslanyan G, Bates I. Indicators for tracking programmes to strengthen health research capacity in lower‑ and middle‑income countries: A qualitative synthesis. Health Res Policy Syst. 2014;12(1):17. doi:10.1186/1478-4505-12-17.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
COHRED. Global Forum for Health Research, UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR). Changing Mindsets: Research capacity strengthening in low‑ and middle‑income countries. 2008:204. Accessed January 15, 2024. https://www.who.int/tdr/publications/documents/changing_mindsets.pdf.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Pratt B. Research for health justice: An ethical framework linking global health research to health equity. BMJ Glob Health. 2021;6(2).
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Rayyan. Accessed January 15, 2024. https://www.rayyan.ai/.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
EndNote. Accessed January 15, 2024. https://endnote.com/downloads/.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
NVivo. Accessed January 15, 2024. https://lumivero.com/products/nvivo.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Vaismoradi M, Turunen H, Bondas T. Content analysis and thematic analysis: Implications for conducting a qualitative descriptive study. Nurs Health Sci. 2013;15(3):398–405. doi:10.1111/nhs.12048.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Dixon‑Woods M, Agarwal S, Young B, Jones D, Sutton A. Synthesising qualitative and quantitative evidence: A review of possible methods. J Health Serv Res Policy. doi:10.1177/135581960501000110. Published online 2005.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Birks M, Chapman Y, Francis K. Memoing in qualitative research: Probing data and processes. J Res Nurs. 2008;13(1):68–75. doi:10.1177/1744987107081254.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hong Q, Fàbregues S, Bartlett G. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) version 2018 for information professionals and researchers. Educ Inf Spec Issue. doi:10.3233/EFI-180221. Published online 2018.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Abawi K, Chandra‑Mouli V, Toskin I, et al. E‑learning for research capacity strengthening in sexual and reproductive health: The experience of the Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research and the Department of Reproductive Health and Research. World Health Organization. Hum Resour Health. 2016;14(1):76. doi:10.1186/s12960-016-0173-0.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Atkins S, Varshney D, Meragia E, Zwarenstein M, Diwan V, consortium for the ARCADE. ‘Research clinics’: Online journal clubs between south and north for student mentoring. Glob Health Action. 2016;9(1):30434. doi:10.3402/gha.v9.30434.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Barchi FH, Kasimatis‑Singleton M, Kasule M, Khulumani P, Merz JF. Building research capacity in Botswana: A randomized trial comparing training methodologies in the Botswana ethics training initiative. BMC Med Educ. 2013;13(1):14. doi:10.1186/1472-6920-13-14.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Bloomfield GS, Xavier D, Belis D, et al. Training and capacity building in LMIC for research in heart and lung diseases: The NHLBI—UnitedHealth Global Health Centers of Excellence Program. Glob Heart. 2016;11(1):17. doi:10.1016/j.gheart.2016.01.004.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Byrnes A, Haregu TN, Pasricha N, et al. Strengthening noncommunicable disease research capacity and chronic disease outcomes in low‑ and middle‑income countries in South Asia: Implementation and evaluation of the ASCEND program. Asia Pac J Public Health. 2019;31(6):536–547. doi:10.1177/1010539519867791.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
CORDIS. Final report summary ARCADE HSSR (African Regional Capacity Development for Health Systems and Services Research). European Union; 2015. Accessed January 21, 2020. https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/265970/reporting.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
da Silva ATC, Hanlon C, Susser E, et al. Enhancing mental health research capacity: Emerging voices from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) global hubs. Int J Ment Health Syst. 2019;13(1):21. doi:10.1186/s13033-019-0276-9.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Decroo T, Van den Bergh R, Kumar AMV, et al. Blended SORT‑IT for operational research capacity building: The model, its successes and challenges. Glob Health Action. 2018;11(1):1469215. doi:10.1080/16549716.2018.1469215.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Dodani S, Songer T, Ahmed Z, LaPorte RE. Building research capacity in developing countries: Cost‑effectiveness of an epidemiology course taught by traditional and video‑teleconferencing methods in Pakistan. Telemed E‑Health. 2012;18(8):621–628. doi:10.1089/tmj.2011.0262.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Dodani S. Ways to strengthen research capacity in developing countries: Effectiveness of a research training workshop in Pakistan. J Health Res. 2008;122(6):578–587.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Heller RF, Machingura PI, Musa BM, Sengupta P, Myles P. Mobilising the alumni of a Master of Public Health degree to build research and development capacity in low‑ and middle‑income settings: The Peoples‑uni. Health Res Policy Syst. 2015;13(1):71. doi:10.1186/s12961-015-0064-1.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Heller RF. Experience with a “social model” of capacity building: The Peoples‑uni. Hum Resour Health. 2009;7(1):43. doi:10.1186/1478-4491-7-43.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Loisel P, Hong QN, Imbeau D. The Work Disability Prevention CIHR Strategic Training Program: Program performance after 5 years of implementation. J Occup Rehabil. 2009;19(1):1–7. doi:10.1007/s10926-008-9160-1.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Mayor A, Martínez‑Pérez G, Tarr‑Attia CK, et al. Training through malaria research: Building capacity in good clinical and laboratory practice in Liberia. Malar J. 2019;18(1):136. doi:10.1186/s12936-019-2767-1.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Mill J, Davison C, Richter S, et al. Qualitative research in an international research program: Maintaining momentum while building capacity in nurses. Int J Qual Methods. 2014;13(1):151–169. doi:10.1177/160940691401300105.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Nazer LH, Kleinpell R, Olsen K, Hawari F. Capacity building for research in critical care: A pilot program in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Crit Care Explor. 2021;3(1):e0315. doi:10.1097/CCE.0000000000000315.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Okewole H, Merritt C, Mangezi W, et al. Building career development skills for researchers: A qualitative study across four African countries. Ann Glob Health. 2020;86(1):40. doi:10.5334/aogh.2759.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Pilowsky DJ, Rojas G, Price LN, et al. Building research capacity across and within low‑ and middle‑income countries: The collaborative hubs for international research on mental health. Acad Psychiatry. 2016;40(4):686–691. doi:10.1007/s40596-016-0493-3.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Protsiv M, Rosales‑Klintz S, Bwanga F, Zwarenstein M, Atkins S. Blended learning across universities in a South–North–South collaboration: A case study. Health Res Policy Syst. 2016;14(1):67. doi:10.1186/s12961-016-0136-x.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Reynolds F. Peoples‑uni: Developing public health competences—lessons from a pilot course module. ProQuest. Published. 2008. Accessed October 14, 2022. https://www.proquest.com/openview/cdfe811f6f76e67386516be801b69992/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=5452619.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Sharma M, Razzaque B. Research capacity strengthening in South Asia: Based on the experience of South Asian Hub for Advocacy, Research and Education on Mental Health (SHARE). Glob Ment Health. 2017;4:e9. doi:10.1017/gmh.2017.5.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Silverman H, Edwards H, Shamoo A, Matar A. Enhancing research ethics capacity in the Middle East: Experience and challenges of a Fogarty‑sponsored training program. J Empir Res Hum Res Ethics. 2013;8(5):40–51. doi:10.1525/jer.2013.8.5.40.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Thakurdesai A, Ghosh A, Menon V, et al. Electronic journal clubs for capacity building: A case study in psychiatry as a model for medical disciplines in developing countries. Asian J Psychiatry. 2018;34:93–97. doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2018.04.026.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Wright M da GM, Cumsille F, Padilha MI, et al. International research capacity building program for health‑related professionals to study the drug phenomenon in Latin America and the Caribbean. Texto Contexto ‑ Enferm. 2015;24(spe):17–25. doi:10.1590/0104-07072015001010014.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Usher K, Redman‑MacLaren M, Mills J, West C. Strengthening and preparing: Enhancing nursing research for disaster management. Nurse Educ Pr. 2015;15.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Mathai M, Stoep AV, Kumar M, et al. Building mental health research capacity in Kenya: A South‑North collaboration. Glob Soc Welf. 2019;6(3):177–188. doi:10.1007/s40609-018-0126-8.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hamer D, Hansoti B, Prabhakaran D. Global health research mentoring competencies for individuals and institutions in low‑ and middle‑income countries. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2019;100(1_supp):15–19. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.18-0558.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Mormina M, Pinder S. A conceptual framework for training of trainers (ToT) interventions in global health. Glob Health. 2018;14(1):100. doi:10.1186/s12992-018-0420-3.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Sitthi‑amorn C, Reeder J, Simon J, Somrongthong R. Strengthening health research capacity in developing countries: A critical element for achieving health equity. BMJ Open. 2000;321:813.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Rienties B, Tempelaar D, Van den Bossche P, Gijselaers W, Segers M. The role of academic motivation in computer‑supported collaborative learning. Comput Hum Behav. 2009;25(6):1195–1206. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2009.05.012.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Cole DC, Johnson N, Mejia R, et al. Mentoring health researchers globally: Diverse experiences, programmes, challenges, and responses. Glob Public Health. 2016;11(9):1093–1108. doi:10.1080/17441692.2015.1057091.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Bloomberg L. Designing and delivering effective online instruction: How to engage adult learners. 1st ed ed. Teachers College Press; 2021.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Dailey‑Hebert A. Maximizing interactivity in online learning: Moving beyond discussion boards. J Educ Online. 2018;15(3).
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Donnelly R. Interaction analysis in a ‘learning by doing’ problem‑based professional development context. Comput Educ. 2010;55(3):1357–1366. doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2010.06.010.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Huber J, Nepal S, Bauer D, Wessels I, Fischer MR, Kiessling C. Tools and instruments for needs assessment, monitoring and evaluation of health research capacity development activities at the individual and organizational level: A systematic review. Health Res Policy Syst. 2015;13(1):80. doi:10.1186/s12961-015-0070-3.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hurley D. ‘The job in global health is always to work yourself out of a job,’ says the recipient of the AAN Global Health/Humanitarian Award. Neurol Today. 2019;19(21):29. doi:10.1097/01.NT.0000613476.85340.5f.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Singh J, Steele K, Singh L, Notes. Combining the best of online and face‑to‑face learning: Hybrid and blended learning approach for COVID‑19, post‑vaccine, & post‑pandemic world. J Educ Technol. 2021;50(2):140–171.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article

Authors

Additional files

Metrics

Articles in this issue

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

Journal RSS Feed

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