Brochure

3 March 2003 – 11 April 2003

organised by

the Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research,

the UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/World Bank Special Programme for Research in Human Reproduction, Department of Reproductive Health and Research, Family and Community Health Cluster (WHO/RHR)

and

the WHO Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health Cluster (WHO/NMH)

in collaboration with

the Department of Health of the Canton of Geneva,

the Faculty of Medicine, Geneva University

and

the Geneva Medical Association

Postgraduate Training: Methodological Issues in Health Research; Reproductive Medicine and Reproductive Biology/Chronic Disease

1 Introduction

2 Objectives

3 General information

3.1 Admission procedures

3.2 Duration of the training

3.3 Teaching language

3.4 Certification

3.5 Costs

3.6 Study grants

4 Curriculum

4.1 General

4.2 Common course for all students: 2 weeks - Methodological Issues in Health Research

4.3 Course 1: 4 weeks - Reproductive Medicine and Reproductive Biology

4.4 Course 2: 4 weeks - Chronic Disease

5 Scientific Committee

6 Organisation and co-ordination

7 Information

1 Introduction

The importance of continued medical education based on solid scientific evidence is now well recognised yet not widely implemented, and thus reducing the possible impact on health services in developing countries. The immediate consequences are stagnation of the quality of service delivery and ill health of the population. This applies particularly to developing countries and countries in economic transition.

Some ways to develop a better health system are to promote research relevant to problems in the field, to strengthen the human and material resources for this research and to create a mechanism, which would assist countries to address their own research needs.

Development of appropriate technologies and training of personnel in various fields of medicine and public health, and research are essential components of such a mechanism.

In view of the steadily increasing demand for support to strengthen the research capabilities in health and to show its solidarity with countries in need, the Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research and the World Health Organization (WHO) - in collaboration with the Department of Health of the Canton of Geneva, the Faculty of Medicine of Geneva University and the Geneva Medical Association - have initiated a postgraduate training programme addressing two important fields in health: reproductive medicine and reproductive biology and chronic disease.

Health research is a multidisciplinary activity comprising basic medical research, clinical medicine and social sciences. The Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research and WHO in collaboration with a number of Swiss medical institutions assures that all these aspects are addressed in the training programme.

Furthermore, staff members and advisers of WHO are actively supporting the postgraduate training by giving lectures and providing tutorship to students.

Through the active involvement of WHO and other bodies of the United Nations, the training programme has a strong international orientation.

2 Objectives

The primary aims and objectives of the training programme are to:

• strengthen the research capabilities of the student and through this the research capacity of his or her institution

• acquaint the student with the most recent technological advances in reproductive health/chronic disease and conduct a critical appraisal of the strength of the supporting scientific evidence

• enable the student to identify and address priority areas in reproductive health/chronic disease

• provide skills in research methodology and scientific writing to allow the student to initiate research and/or participate in research work appropriate the health programmes in his or her home country.

3 General information

3.1 Admission procedures

The postgraduate courses are open to students, who want to undertake research training in the fields of research methodology and reproductive health/chronic disease. However, before applying, the candidates must fulfil the conditions for admission and present:

• For the course in Reproductive Medicine and Reproductive Biology: A doctor’s degree in Medicine or a degree in Biology

• For the course in Chronic Disease: An advanced degree in Public Health, Medicine or Social Science

In order to be considered by the course organisers, the following documents are required:

Applications should be sent to the following address:

Postgraduate Training in Reproductive Health/Chronic Disease
Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research
c/o Geneva Medical Association,
Case Postale 665,
12 Rue Micheli-du-Crest
1211 Geneva 4
Switzerland

The final selection of candidates to the courses is made by the Scientific Committee.

3.2 Duration of the training

The courses are offered on a full-time basis for 6 weeks (2 weeks Methodological Issues in Health Research; 4 weeks Reproductive Medicine and Reproductive Biology/Chronic Disease). At the end of the 6 weeks there is an oral and a written exam and a presentation of a written assignment.

3.3 Teaching language

The teaching language of the courses is English. In the daily practical work, both French and English are accepted as working languages. Both English and French can be used in the written and oral exams. However, in order to follow the course lectures, it is of utmost importance that the student’s level of understanding English is adequate. An official attestation of English proficiency is required to attend the training programme.

3.4 Certification

After compulsory course attendance of six weeks and having successfully passed the oral and written exams as well as the presentation of the written assignment, the student will obtain a

• a Certificate in Reproductive Medicine and Reproductive Biology issued by the University of Geneva, and a Certificate issued by WHO, endorsed by the Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research and the Geneva Medical Association.

or

• a Certificate in Chronic Disease issued by WHO, endorsed by the Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research and the Geneva Medical Association.

3.5 Costs

There is no tuition fee for the courses.

The estimated cost (in Swiss Francs - CHF) to stay in Geneva (excluding travel cost) for the duration of the courses is as follows:

** Not applicable to students, who will be selected to receive a study grant.

3.6 Study grants

Through contributions from several donor organisations, the course organisers are making available a limited number of study grants, which will be offered to selected students to meet some of the cost of their participation in the courses.

4 Curriculum

4.1 General

Lectures are held regularly between 09.00 - 13.00 from Monday to Friday, with occasional afternoon sessions. The afternoons are reserved for the preparations of the written assignment.

The curriculum will cover the following modules:

4.2 Common course for all students: 2 weeks - Methodological Issues in Health Research

Methodological Issues in Reproductive Health and Chronic Disease Research including: Study designs, critical appraisal, screening, research synthesis, strategies for data analysis, exploration of links between reproductive health and chronic disease.

4.3 Course 1: 4 weeks - Reproductive Medicine and Reproductive Biology

4.4 Course 2: 4 weeks - Chronic Disease

5 Scientific Committee

The courses are under the guidance and supervision of the Scientific Committee of the courses consisting of members representing the Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research, WHO, other collaborating Swiss medical institutions and independent members.

6 Organisation and co-ordination

The Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research organises the training programme jointly with the Department of Reproductive Health and Research (WHO/RHR) and the Noncommunicable Disease and Mental Health Cluster (WHO/NMH).

José Villar, MD (WHO/RHR) is the Director of the courses. Regina Kulier, MD (GIIMER) is the Scientific Co-ordinator and Eva Mathur, MA (GIIMER) is the Management Co-ordinator.

7 Information

Further information about the postgraduate courses can be obtained from:

The Administrative Office of the Postgraduate Courses
Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research

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Edited by Aldo Campana,