TDR and partners have developed a new training module that aims to strengthen researchers’ communication skills and enhance uptake of their research findings. Researchers tackling antimicrobial resistance in Nepal through the Structured Operational Research and Training Initiative (SORT IT) piloted the module during a recent workshop.
Why do we need to better communicate research findings?
For many years the Structured Operational Research and Training IniTiative (SORT IT) has successfully supported frontline workers in using data gathered by health programmes to conduct operational research. More than 70% of SORT IT trainees have reported that they have been able to use the findings to influence policy and/or practice.
However, TDR felt that the impact of these findings could be further improved through better communication of research findings, to bridge the gap between researchers and decision-makers. This prompted TDR to develop a new SORT IT training module on research communication that aims to improve research uptake and influence behaviour that improves public health. Frontline workers combatting antimicrobial resistance (AMR) within the health, agriculture and environmental sectors in Nepal have been pioneering this approach.
What tools did we provide to improve research communication?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this module was developed and piloted online. The module aimed to provide researchers with the tools, the skills and the opportunity to practice skills to effectively communicate their research findings with a KISS – ‘keep the information short and simple.’ A recent workshop focused on four areas:
- Drafting a communication plan: Researchers develop a communication plan for targeting decision-makers. This starts with identifying who are the key decision-makers and users of their research.
- Writing a plain-language evidence summary: A one-page handout captures the three key messages of the research and highlights the implications and recommendations. This handout allows a stakeholder to understand the research quickly and follow up for more information as required.
- Presenting the research visually: A PowerPoint presentation that lasts no more than 10 minutes is developed with illustrative graphs and statistics to support key messages.
- Presenting an elevator pitch: The main messages are further distilled into a short (30- to 60-second) oral presentation that is intended for use in opportunistic one-to-one conversations when meeting stakeholders briefly, for example, at an event. The purpose of the elevator pitch is to pique their interest so they ask for further information or arrange for a briefing at a later date.
Participants were required to video record, review and present their PowerPoint presentations and elevator pitches with the mentors and research participants in order to improve their timing and technique.
The short presentations were made to invited guests and decision makers from relevant Ministries as well as representatives of the National AMR Coordinating Committee supported by the WHO Country Office.
How did we fare, and what’s next?
The first round of evidence summaries have been developed, and elevator pitches were also recorded.
“This training module serves a great need to present research findings in a simple way so that we decision-makers can quickly and easily grasp the key messages and take action to address urgent health issues,” said Dr Madan Kumar Updhyaya, Chief of the Quality Standards and Regulation Division at Nepal’s Ministry of Health and Population.
TDR along with the SORT IT global partnership will integrate this communications module into all of its SORT IT programmes, and this will continue over the coming months with the AMR-SORT IT programmes in Colombia, Ecuador, Ghana, Myanmar, Sierra Leone and Uganda.
For more information, please contact Dr Rony Zachariah or Dr Rob Terry.