From the outset the project has been committed to providing a range of training opportunities – across different specialism and disciplines. Building capacity through such training has been at the heart of the project, recognised as key to ensuring the success of delivering the project and its longer term sustainability as well as further strengthening the longstanding research relationship between the University of Glasgow and Kilimanjaro Christian Research Institute.
During the project the following training has been delivered:
- GALS and REMS Practical Training – March 2019 KCRI: Project co-I Clive Kelly delivered training to apply the GALS (Gait, Arms, Legs & Spine) and REMS (Regional Examination of the Musculoskeletal System) tools. GALS and REMS tools help detect significant musculoskeletal abnormalities and vital in data collection in both the clinical and community setting.
- Qualitative Research Skills – April 2019 KCRI: Project co-I’s Chris Bunn and Elizabeth Msoka delivered training to support the initial phase of qualitative data collection. With a focus on Rapid Ethnographical Appraisals (which incorporates interviews and focus groups) the training explored the key principles of qualitative research, the implementation of REA, and sketched out potential challenges to advance troubleshoot.
- USS Advanced GALS and REMS training – October 2019 KCRI: Maureen Todd and Duncan Porter from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board, Scotland, built upon the training provided by Clive Kelly, to deliver further training on GALS and REMS alongside providing ultrasound training and training on how to take successful rheumatology histories from patients.
- Community field training – March 2020 KCRI: Shadrach, Stefanie, Sanjura, Clive, Richard & Jo delivered field team training on the array of skills required to conduct the community level data collection, including recruitment practice, obtaining informed consent, use of Open Data Kit (ODK) and conducting clinical exams.
- ELULAR EMEUNET Online Course for Health Professionals – 2020-2021 Online: Spaces where secured for three nurses from KCMC to take part in the international ELULAR Online Course for Health Professionals aimed at health professionals in rheumatology who play an important role in the management of rheumatic conditions, to strengthen capacity in KCMC.
- MSc in Global Health, School of Social and Political Science – 2019-2020 University of Glasgow: Nateiya M Yongolo undertook her masters, funded by the project, at the University of Glasgow. She produced her dissertation on ‘Estimating the prevalence and predictors of musculoskeletal disorders within the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania: a cross-sectional pilot study based on established musculoskeletal system screening tools’
