The SORT IT training teaches the practical skills to conduct and publish research and foster evidence-informed decision making. There are three modules that sequentially include protocol writing, quality assured data capture and analysis and manuscript writing for publication. Continuous mentorship and support for peer-review is an integral aspect of the SORT IT cycle. The SORT IT model is adaptable to various geographic contexts, different thematic areas and research methodology.
In collaboration with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), The Union developed a unique course in OR that has outstanding results. By the end of the course, each participant will have designed a protocol in their field of choice, carried out the research, analysed the results, written up a scientific paper and submitted the paper to a peer-reviewed journal for publication.
Since July 2012, The Union and MSF have been collaborating with WHO-TDR, and all of the OR courses have subsequently been called Structured Operational Research Training IniTiative programmes (SORT IT).
SORT IT courses aim to build capacity of public health professionals in countries with serious communicable disease epidemics and growing epidemics of NCDs. The programme provides a sustainable method for developing country-level resources, with several alumni from SORT IT courses having gone on to lead courses in their countries. Reports have shown that nearly two thirds of the publications resulting from these courses have given rise to a change in policy and/or practice at the country level.
- The SORT IT programme offers an intensive course in OR that consists of three six-day modules spaced out over nine to 12 months and continuous online mentorship from conception to publication.
- SORT-IT’s open-access video resources are also available on-line, so that individuals and institutions interested in building their operational research capacity may use and adapt these materials for improving health policies, practices and outcomes.
Generally, about 90% of the participants complete the course and among the papers submitted to journals, about 90% get published. Of the papers assessed for impact at 18 months after the completion of the course, about two-thirds of the participants self-reported impact on change in policy and/or practice. About half the participants complete a new research project within 18 months after the course and about 25% of the participants go on to facilitate at future OR courses.