Table 2.

Advantages and disadvantages of the revised structure of ‘The Union-MSF model’ in Asia, 2013

Revised structure	Advantages	Disadvantages
Extended duration of module	• Allowed new knowledge on sourcing published literature and organizing references to be imparted to participants	• Increased costs due to additional accommodation, conferencing and per-diem expenses
	• More individualized time devoted to analysing and interpreting data	• Increased time away from duty station for faculty and participants
	• Improved manuscript titles and abstracts. Less stress and fewer hours worked beyond course schedule for both participants and faculty
	• Improved opportunities for social networking and alumni links between participants and mentors
Increased number of facilitators	• For Modules 1 and 3, facilitator numbers were standardized to two for three participants allowing more individual time per participant	• Increased costs
Strengthened milestones for Module 2	• Increased priority accorded to data entry and analysis	• Increased burden on the participants and the facilitators to meet milestones
	• Increased hands-on support to participants in analyzing data	• Increased burden on the module coordinator and course co-ordinator to monitor the achievement of milestones