London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

The workshop, which took place in early October, brought together 14 participants from various backgrounds and institutions, including MRC staff based in both Fajara and Farafenni, as well as representatives from Ministry of Health The Gambia and the University of The Gambia.

The event served as a follow-up to a previous workshop on "Design and Methods for Public Health Intervention" held in March 2022, which was co-facilitated by the CfE. The refresher session aimed to delve more deeply into the intricacies of Process Evaluations, an integral aspect of public health research.

Brahima Diallo, a member of the CfE steering committee and an Anthropologist and Postdoctoral Researcher at the MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM, and Joanna Busza, who developed the CfE's process evaluation training package, jointly facilitated the workshop. The format of the training was highly interactive and revolved around group work, utilizing two case studies. Participants meticulously worked through the design of a process evaluation, starting with the identification of the "change pathway." This approach outlined the intervention's rationale and hypothesized mechanisms of action. Subsequently, indicators for each stage of the pathway were selected, followed by the identification of suitable sources of data and the tools required for data collection.

Throughout the workshop, participants engaged in active discussions and posed questions, emphasizing the practical application of process evaluations. Key concepts drawn from the MRC Guidance on process evaluation were reviewed, including fidelity, feasibility, acceptability, dose, and reach.

The workshop's importance extended to considering how process evaluations might be integrated into the MRC's existing and future research portfolios, further enhancing the quality and impact of their work.

The CfE expressed its readiness to support LSHTM staff and partners in organizing similar workshops and skills-building sessions. The Centre offered a comprehensive package of materials, including PowerPoint presentations, group work activities, and sample case studies that can be adapted to meet the specific needs of groups interested in refining their research and evaluation skills.

This collaborative effort underscores the commitment of the MRC Unit The Gambia and the CfE to advancing public health research and intervention methodologies, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes and improved healthcare practices. Researchers and professionals in the field are encouraged to reach out to the CfE to benefit from these valuable resources and expertise for conducting successful evaluations and research in public health.

For more information and inquiries, please contact the CfE to explore the possibilities of tailored workshops and training sessions.