Strengthening Non-Communicable Disease Research Capacity in Thailand: Leveraging PhD Nurses and other Health Professionals.

The mounting burden of non-communicable disease (NCD) in lower-to-middle income countries (LMIC) was recognized two decades ago by the World Health Organization (WHO). In 2012, the WHO reported that NCDs were responsible for 71% of total deaths in Thailand. Thus, the goal of our ongoing NIH D43 training grant is to increase the quantity and quality of NCD research in Thailand by producing nurse scientists with the capacity to design, implement, guide, and evaluate cutting-edge research projects. The three components of the program are 1) a long-term component to train 10 Thai postdoctoral scholars that includes one year of intensive mentored research training in the US and one year implementing a research project back in Thailand; 2) a short-term component that provides an opportunity for Thai scientists, teachers, administrators and policy makers to take classes in areas relevant to NCD; 3) a yearly two-day NCD workshop to be held in different regions of Thailand. To date, 8 long-term trainees have completed various stages of their training. Eleven short-term trainees have taken courses at the University of Michigan. Two NCD workshops have been held so far under the auspices of the grant with a third planned for 2018. The ability to participate in the in-depth activities provided by the grant have not only expanded knowledge around NCD's, but also has enabled US and Thai investigators to grow in the area of culturally informed research.