Research Capacity Training on Environmental Health and Noncommunicable Diseases in the Country of Georgia: Challenges and Lessons Learned during the COVID-19 Pandemic

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Carla Berg, Emory University; Lela Sturua, Natl Ctr Dis Control & Publ Hlth; Carmen Marsit, Emory University; Levan Baramidze, Tbilisi State Medical University; Nino Kiladze, Tbilisi State Medical University; William Caudle, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2022-07-01
• Publisher: MDPI
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2022 by the authors.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19138154
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
• Volume: 19
• Issue: 13
• Grant/Funding Information: Caudle is also supported by (R01 ES032440-01A1).; This work was supported by the US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences/Fogarty International Center (D43ES030927-01; MPIs: Berg, Caudle, Sturua). Berg is also supported by other US National Institutes of Health funding, including the National Cancer Institute (R01CA215155-01A1; PI: Berg; R01CA239178-01A1; MPIs: Berg, Levine; R01CA179422-01; PI: Berg), the Fogarty International Center (R01TW010664-01; MPIs: Berg, Kegler), and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (R01DA054751-01A1; MPIs: Berg, Cavazos-Rehg). Marsit is also supported by US NIH funding, including the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (P2C ES033430, R24 ES028507), the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities (R01 MD011698), and the Office of the Director (UH3 OD023347). Marsit and Caudle are also supported by US NIH funding, including the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (P30 ES019776, R01 ES02912).
• Keywords: environmental health; Science & Technology; COVID-19; noncommunicable diseases; global health; low- and middle-income countries; Environmental Sciences; Environmental Sciences & Ecology; global health training; Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; mentorship; PRODUCTIVITY
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

COVID-19 presented challenges for global health research training programs. The Clean Air Research and Education (CARE) program, which aims to enhance research capacity related to noncommunicable diseases and environmental health in the country of Georgia, was launched in 2020—as the COVID-19 pandemic began. At its foundation is mentorship and mentored research, alongside formal didactic training, informal training/meetings, and other supports. Current analyses examined CARE’s initial 1.5 years (e.g., program benefits, mentorship relationships) using data from an evaluation survey among trainees and faculty in January 2022. Trainees (100% response rate: n = 12/12; 4 MPH, 8 PhD) and faculty (86.7% response rate: n = 13/15; 7 Georgia-based, 6 United States-based) rated factors related to mentor-mentee relationships highly, particularly mutual consideration of each other’s thoughts, opinions, and perspectives; one major challenge was completing goals planned. Trainees and faculty identified several growth experiences and program benefits (e.g., skills development, expanding professional network) but also identified challenges (e.g., meeting program demands, communication gaps, unclear expectations)—exacerbated by the pandemic. Findings underscore the importance of strong mentorship relationships and that the pandemic negatively impacted communication and clarity of expectations. Given the likely ongoing impact of the pandemic on such programs, program leaders must identify ways to address these challenges.