A systematic approach for reviewing research capacity within Zimbabwe’s national blood service

Mapako, T, Mafirakureva, N, Mutenherwa, M, Bvuma, G, Mvere, D A, Marowa, L M, Emmanuel, J C and Bates, Imelda ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0862-8199 (2016) 'A systematic approach for reviewing research capacity within Zimbabwe’s national blood service'. ISBT Science Series, Vol 11, Issue 2, pp. 110-117.

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Abstract

Background
Blood services need to undertake research to improve their strategic goals, operational effectiveness and promote evidence-based policies. NBSZ has along history of active research and undertook a systematic review of its research capacity to guide its new research strategy. In the absence of a published approach for research capacity assessment for national blood services, a frame-work to assess research capacity in African universities was used.

Methods
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 85 NBSZ internal and external stakeholders. The interview topics were based on eight areas covered by the framework used to assess universities’ research systems. Information was ver-ified through triangulation, and recommended actions emerging from the review were validated at a national stakeholder workshop. The appropriateness of the framework for use in the setting of blood services was also evaluated.

Results
Synthesis of information from the multi perspective interviews high-lighted key areas of NBSZ’s research capacity for improvement, in particular better dissemination of NBSZ’s research priorities and closer ties with academics and their institutions for preparing research proposals and jointly undertaking research projects. With minor adaptations, the framework was found to be applicable to NBSZ, and no aspects of research capacity were identified which were not covered by the framework.

Discussion
Our results indicate that it is feasible and useful to apply a structured process to review the research capacity of blood services. However, the frame-work needs to be tested in blood services and other non-university setting to assess its usefulness and transferability.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	W General Medicine. Health Professions > Professional practice > W88 Administrative work. Teaching. Research WA Public Health > Health Administration and Organization > WA 540 National and state health administration WB Practice of Medicine > Therapeutics > WB 356 Blood transfusion WH Hemic and Lymphatic Systems > Hematologic Diseases. Immunologic Factors. Blood Banks > WH 460 Blood bank procedures
Faculty: Department:	Clinical Sciences & International Health > International Public Health Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1111/voxs.12276
Depositing User:	Rachel Dominguez
Date Deposited:	23 Jun 2016 10:33
Last Modified:	22 Oct 2019 08:23
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/5951

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