Abstract
Global public health issues, including tobacco use, will be addressed most effectively if informed by relevant evidence. Additional capacity is needed to undertake and sustain relevant and rigorous research that will inform and enable learning from interventions. Despite the undisputed importance of research capacity building (RCB), there is little evidence about how to create relevant capacities. RCB for tobacco control in Canada from 2000–2010 offers a rich experience from which to learn. Lessons were derived using structured data collection from seven capacity-building initiatives and an invitational workshop, at which reflections on major contributions and lessons learned were discussed by initiative leads. Ten years of RCB for tobacco control in Canada revealed the importance of a) taking an organic approach to RCB, b) targeting and sustaining investments in a mix of RCB activities, c) vision and collaborative leadership at organizational and initiative levels, d) a focus on building community, and e) studying capacity building. The experience also provided tangible examples of RCB initiatives and how independent investments can be linked to create a coherent approach. Looking ahead, promising directions may include positioning RCB within a broader context of “field building”, focusing on practical approaches to sustainability, and enhancing research on RCB.
Key Words: Tobacco, capacity building, research personnel, interdisciplinary communication, training support
Résumé
Les interventions les plus efficaces contre les problèmes de santé publique mondiaux, dont le tabagisme, s’appuient sur des preuves pertinentes. Or, il faut des capacités supplémentaires pour entreprendre et soutenir des études rigoureuses qui éclairent les interventions et qui permettent d’en tirer des leçons. Personne ne doute de l’importance du renforcement de la capacité de recherche (RCR), mais il existe peu de données sur la manière de créer les capacités appropriées. Le RCR sur la lutte antitabac au Canada de 2000 à 2010 est une expérience riche d’enseignements à cet égard. Nous en avons tiré des leçons en recueillant des données structurées à partir de sept initiatives de renforcement des capacités et en donnant un atelier sur invitation, durant lequel les dirigeants des initiatives ont discuté des apports clés et des leçons apprises. Dix ans de RCR sur la lutte antitabac au Canada ont révélé l’importance: a) d’adopter une approche organique à l’égard du RCR, b) d’investir de façon ciblée et soutenue dans un mélange d’activités de RCR, c) d’avoir une vision et d’exercer un leadership concertés à l’échelle organisationnelle et à l’échelle des initiatives, d) de mettre l’accent sur le renforcement des communautés et e) d’étudier le renforcement des capacités. L’expérience a aussi fourni des exemples concrets d’initiatives de RCR et des moyens de relier des investissements indépendants pour créer une démarche cohérente. Pour l’avenir, les orientations prometteuses incluent le positionnement du RCR dans le contexte plus large de la « constitution de champs de recherche », l’accent sur les démarches pratiques de durabilité, et l’amélioration de la recherche sur le RCR.
Mots Clés: tabac, renforcement des capacités, personnel de recherche, communication interdisciplinaire, soutien à la formation
Footnotes
Acknowledgements: Contributions from Dr. Riley were supported by the Canadian Cancer Society (grant #2011-701019). Dr. Cohen’s time was supported by the Ontario Tobacco Research Unit, which receives funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Thanks to all participants in the CTCRI-sponsored workshop and to Paula Stanghetta for preparing a workshop summary report.
Thanks also to the many individuals and organizations that contributed to the seven tobacco control research capacity-building initiatives. Special thanks to the initiative leads: Roy Cameron, Paul Clarke, Roberta Ferrence, Chris Lovato, Paul McDonald, Cheryl Moyer, Jennifer O’Loughlin, and Peter Selby. The authors acknowledge Mari Alice Jolin and Dana Zummach for administrative support in the preparation of this manuscript.
Conflict of Interest: All authors were funded, employed, or affiliated with one or more of the tobacco control research capacity-building initiatives during the period of time described in this article.
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