Research hospitals that are impacting healthcare globally have a strong scientific research component that complements the clinical aspects of the hospitals. The major goal of KUTRRH’s research
directorate is to offer strategic leadership in the formulation and implementation of research and planning policies, systems and procedures. The directorate spearheads and coordinates the organization’s research agendas including budgeting, effective dissemination of research findings, determining the most appropriate commercialization route, and to develop innovative services.
Another core function of this department is to develop a network of contacts within professional healthcare organizations and other research institutions within Kenya, the region and globally. The goal is to identify new opportunities to work in partnerships that further the professional and commercial ambitions of the hospital. Moreover, the department seeks to ensures that all staff engaged in clinical research are appropriately trained, qualified, and training resources are readily accessible to trainees as per accreditation guidelines.
There is a trending global emphasis on the need for clinical practice, education, and research that is based on the best available research evidence or what is known as Evidence-based Practice (EBP). Using the Evidence-based Practice model, there is need for strategic approach to bridge the gap between the clinical interventions and the clinical scientific research, training and innovation. This directorate has identified some gaps and has outlined some gaps that it will address to help achieve its vision.
Some of these gaps include skills and research gap, as well as lack of know-how on technology transfer. To address these gaps, the directorate intends to collaborate with partners, who seek to support KUTRRH in both its clinical and research missions. Such partners will benefit the institution by providing requisite training in state-of-the-art clinical care, partnering with KUTRRH to develop and undertake cutting edge biomedical research.
In addition, support KUTRRH in developing and maintaining a grant management office, which is essential as the institution prepares to aggressively seek extramural funding. As a step in the journey towards undertaking cutting edge research the Directorate of Training and research through KUTRRH’s partnership with the University of Manchester, invited Dr Daniel Jameson, Research Development Manager with the University of Manchester’s Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health to visit KUTRRH and hold interactions with our staff.
Dr Jameson took the staff through the steps of applying for United Kingdom Research Funding. The interactive session will help KUTRRH’s staff, academicians and researchers to write applications; to identify people who can fill gaps in research applications and help build a community of researchers within KUTRRH. This was the first of many planned training sessions in key areas of research that are intended to place KUTRRH in its rightful position as a key research institution in health care.