Capacity development of researchers involved in guideline development in Malawi, Nigeria and South Africa: A mixed-methods study

Background The Global Evidence, Local Adaptation (GELA) project aimed to build capacity for rigorous clinical practice guideline (CPG) development and evidence-informed decision-making (EDIM) in Malawi, South Africa and Nigeria. Aim This study aimed to explore and assess whether and how participating in GELA project activities developed the capacity of GELA researchers in evidence synthesis, guideline development, project management and interpersonal skills. Setting GELA researchers were based at academic and research institutions in South Africa, Malawi, Nigeria and Norway. Methods We conducted a nested mixed-method study of GELA researchers comprising an online survey and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, while qualitative data were analysed through framework analysis. Results Survey respondents indicated that their confidence in technical skills, as well as project management and interpersonal skills, improved during GELA. Interview results highlighted the importance of both skill sets. Collaboration emerged as a key facilitator of capacity development, while the tension between meeting deliverables and dedicating enough time to capacity development was a key challenge. Conclusion The GELA project enabled capacity development in technical, project management and interpersonal skills in novice as well as experienced researchers. The collaborative nature of the project facilitated this iterative process. Planning of capacity development for researchers within a project such as GELA is essential for the success of both capacity development and project deliverables. Contribution Our evaluation sheds light on the challenges and facilitators of building capacity of researchers within the context of a multinational project on CPG development.