30/05/2026
๐๐ก๐ฎ๐ญ๐๐ง'๐ฌ ๐๐ญ๐ซ๐ฎ๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ & ๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐๐๐ก ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐ฌ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ก ๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ (๐-๐๐๐๐๐ ๐.๐)
The Medical Education Centre for Research, Innovation and Training (MECRIT), Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan (KGUMSB), successfully conducted the 3rd batch of Bhutanโs Structured & Mentoring Approach to Research Training (B-SMART 3.0) at Jambayang Resort, Thimphu, from 18โ30 May 2026. A total of 13 participants from health facilities and academic institutions across Bhutan were competitively selected through a proposal-based process to strengthen national research capacity and promote evidence-informed decision-making in healthcare.
Adapted from the internationally recognized SORT-IT (Structured Operational Research and Training Initiative) model developed by The Union and Mรฉdecins Sans Frontiรจres (MSF), B-SMART is a practical, milestone-driven training programme designed to equip participants with the skills needed to undertake high-quality operational and implementation research and translate findings into policy and practice.
The B-SMART is Tailored specifically to Bhutanโs local healthcare context, this Operational Research (OR), but not limited to other implementation or case control or clinical trails, training program is designed to:
*Enhance Research Capacity: Build practical skills for researchers to undertake operational and health systems research.
*Support Evidence-Based Decisions: Improve planning and decision-making frameworks within the national healthcare system.
*Master the Research Pipeline: Equip participants with end-to-end skills, from initial proposal conceptualization to publication and data dissemination.
The two-week intensive program focused on distinct phases of the research process:
๐.๐๐๐๐ค ๐ (๐๐จ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐): ๐๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฌ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ก & ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ญ๐จ๐๐จ๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ, ๐ฐ๐ก๐ข๐๐ก ๐ข๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฎ๐๐๐:
โฆ The first module focused on building a strong foundation in health and operational research. Participants were guided through the entire research development process, including identifying priority research problems, developing research questions and objectives, selecting appropriate study designs and methodologies, determining study populations and sample sizes, and designing data collection tools. Sessions also covered literature searching using Research4Life, critical appraisal of evidence, reference management using Zotero and Mendeley, authorship and investigator responsibilities, plagiarism prevention, research ethics, and ethical review processes through KGUMSB IRB and REBH.
โข Participants further learned how to develop data documentation (DDS) sheets or codebook and/or electronic Case Report Form (eCRF); and align research findings with policy and programme implementation needs.
๐.๐๐๐๐ค ๐ (๐๐จ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐): ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐ข๐๐ง๐ญ, ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ-๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ & ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฉ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฌ๐ข๐ฌ-๐:
โฆ The second module provided intensive hands-on training in research data management and electronic data capture using REDCap. Participants learned how to convert research protocols into structured datasets through the development of metadata, coding frameworks, data dictionaries, and electronic data collection instruments.
โฆ The module covered questionnaire design, field types, validation rules, branching logic, calculated variables, longitudinal study structures, survey workflows, automated invitations, alerts and notifications, data quality assurance mechanisms, database testing, troubleshooting, and research data governance.
โฆ Training also introduced statistical analysis planning, preparation of dummy tables and figures, and frameworks for data analysis and reporting, ensuring that participants were equipped to manage the full data lifecycle from collection to analysis.
๐. ๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ง๐๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ฌ:
As part of the B-SMART training model, participants are required to achieve specific milestones before progressing to subsequent modules. By the completion of Modules 1 and 2, participants successfully developed and presented draft study protocols and initiated the development of essential research implementation documents, including Data Documentation Sheets (DDS), REDCap Data Dictionaries, Data Management Plans (DMP), Statistical Analysis Plans (SAP), data collection instruments, and pilot testing frameworks.
Participants are expected to further refine these outputs and submit their final research protocols and study instruments to KGUMSB IRB or the Research Ethics Board of Health (REBH), Ministry of Health, within two weeks for ethical review and approval prior to commencing data collection. Necessary administrative and study-site clearances must also be obtained.
๐. ๐๐ญ๐ญ๐๐ง๐๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฌ๐ ๐๐๐ช๐ฎ๐ข๐ซ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ:
B-SMART maintains rigorous quality standards and participant accountability. Attendance is mandatory throughout the training programme, and participants who are absent for more than two days across Modules 1 and 2, or who fail to meet the required attendance and milestones threshold, may be discontinued from subsequent modules or from the programme altogether. This ensures active engagement and successful completion of all milestone-based deliverables.
๐. ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง & ๐๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐๐ข๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง:
The closing ceremony was graced by the Honโble President of KGUMSB and JDWNRH who awarded certificates of participation and encouraged trainees to continue generating high-quality evidence to strengthen Bhutanโs health system. The Director, MECRIT was also in atttendance during the closing session.
๐. ๐๐๐ฒ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐:
Participants will now return to their respective workplaces to finalize protocols, obtain necessary approvals, and initiate data collection. They will reconvene in approximately 7โ8 months for Modules 3 and 4, which will focus on advanced data analysis, interpretation of findings, scientific manuscript writing, and publication in peer-reviewed journals.
