Academic activities
INTRODUCTION
The academic activities of the Foundation are divided into three main areas: Training, Research and Research synthesis. Research applications/proposal will undergo a review process, assessing their strategical relevance (being within the mandate of the Foundation) as well as their scientific content (according to the best standards). The activities are listed and described in detail below.
TRAINING
1. Degree training
1.1 Postgraduate Research Training in Reproductive Health/Chronic Disease, Geneva
The Foundation, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, the Geneva Department of Health, the University of Geneva and the Geneva Medical Association organizes once a year a 6 weeks’ ‘Postgraduate Course in Medicine’. This course has a 2-weeks module in Research Methodology followed by a 4-weeks course in Reproductive Health/Chronic Disease. Students who successfully pass the exams at the end of the course will receive a certificate, jointly issued by GFMER and WHO.
Common module:
Research methodology and basic epidemiology
2 weeks: Research design, development of a protocol, data analysis, research
synthesis
Speciality modules:
a) Reproductive health
3 weeks: Basic science, Genetics, Family Planning, Infertility & Gynaecological
Endocrinology, Obstetrics & Safe Motherhood, Gynaecological Cancer and Sexually
Transmitted Diseases.
b) Chronic disease
3 weeks: Diabetes;
Cardiovascular Diseases; Substance Abuse; Mental Health; Obesity; Cancer;
Integrated NCD Prevention; Health Promotion; Surveillance
Starting in 2004, a third arm of the course is planned in the field of Complementary Medicine.
1.2 Postgraduate Research Training Network in Reproductive Health
With the aim to train more scientists the course will be conducted together with other institutions in collaborating centres, for the first year in Argentina, Cameroun, China, Indonesia, Italy and Romania, with other centres being planned to join soon.
2. Collaborative courses
2.1 Advanced Methods in Epidemiology: History and Concepts
This course is administered within the Masters’ in Public Health curriculum of the Swiss Universities. It is offered by the Foundation in collaboration with the Institutes for Social – and preventive Medicine of the Universities Basel, Bern and Zürich as an independent 3-day course. It is targeted to epidemiologists and researchers with a basic knowledge of epidemiology.
2.2 E-dissemination of other Academic Activities
Jointly with WHO and the Boston University School of Medicine, it is planned to construct and conduct other long-distance educational activities, such as asynchronised web-based courses using evidence-based case studies in antenatal care.
3. Tutorials – practical training
3.1 Gynaecology
In collaboration with private specialists and WHO (Department of Reproductive Health and Research)
3.1.1 Vesicovaginal fistula: prevention and treatment (Dr. Rochat)
3.2 Surgery
In collaboration with specialists in private practice
3.2.1 Programme for training and research in laparoscopic surgery (Dr Meyer)
3.3 Cytopathology
In collaboration with specialists in private practice and the Swiss Society of Cytometry ( Dr Vassilakos and Dr. Albe)
3.4 Traditional Chinese Medicine
In collaboration with the WHOs policy and strategy on traditional medicine.
RESEARCH SYNTHESIS – COCHRANE SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS
1. Systematic reviews
Research synthesis projects are a major activity by members of the Foundation and WHO. Several systematic reviews prepared in collaboration with students from previous Postgraduate Courses have been published, mainly in the Cochrane Library, but also in paper journals. Prior to being involved in a systematic review, students will participate in a structured Cochrane review workshop. The usual time from the beginning to completion of a systematic review is about 1 to 2 years. During this time, all authors of the review are involved in all steps of the review (e.g. protocol development, data extraction, writing up).
Systematic review training workshops will be organised within the Foundation as well as outside.
The following Cochrane systematic reviews are currently in preparation:
- Anaesthetic methods for tubal sterilisation
- Medical methods for first trimester abortion
- Cervical ripening for termination of pregnancy
- Comparison of oral contraceptives containing low dose estrogens and either gestodene, desogestrel or norgestimate
- Vitamin A supplementation during pregnancy
2. Clinical guidelines
Cochrane systematic reviews are the backbone for the development of clinical guidelines. The development of these guidelines can be a follow-up activity of the research synthesis and be accomplished in collaboration with clinical institutions and WHO.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Research activities will be conducted primarily in collaboration with clinical institutions, WHO or its network of collaborating centres. Research proposals/protocols submitted by collaborators will be discussed within the Steering Committee of the Foundation, which includes members of the Foundation as well as external topic experts. Priority will be given to proposals addressing relevant and current issues.
Text prepared by Regina Kulier
Edited by Aldo Campana,