Kuskaya: a training program for collaboration and innovation in global health

Abstract

To solve increasingly complex global health problems, health professionals must collaborate with professionals in non-health-related fields. The Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia and University of Washington created the NIH-funded Kuskaya training program in response to the need for transformative global health training for talented graduates from all disciplines. Kuskaya is a 1-year, interdisciplinary training program that teaches Peruvian and US graduates critical skills related to public health research through the design and implementation of a collaborative research project in Peru. Between 2014 and 2018, the program has trained 33 fellows, of which one third were from non-health disciplines. The program is unique because it targets junior trainees from disciplines outside of the health field, the program's curriculum is adapted to fit the fellows' backgrounds and professional aspirations, and the structure of the program allows for collaboration within the cohort and encourages fellows to apply for additional funding and pursue advanced degrees. Lessons learned in designing the Kuskaya program include: 1) involving mentors in the fellow selection process, 2) involving fellows in existing lines of research to increase mentor involvement, 3) institutionalizing mentoring through regular works-in-progress meetings and providing mentoring materials, and 4) defining a core curriculum for all fellows while providing additional supplementary materials to meet each cohort's needs, and evaluating their progress. Kuskaya provides an innovative model for bi-national, global health training to engage and provide a public health career pathway for all professionals.

Keywords: education; international health; program design; public health.

Figure 1

Framework for understanding shared key components related to the development of innovations and global health training programs. Notes: Global health and innovation literature emphasizes interdisciplinarity, teamwork, and mentoring as key components for a successful approach. Grand Challenges Canada developed the term Integrated Innovations™ to refer to the coordinated application of scientific/technological, social, and business innovation to develop solutions to complex challenges. This approach highlights the powerful synergies realized by aligning all three to address a single challenge – specifically, speaking to developing whole solutions for complex global health challenges.

Figure 2

Overview of the Kuskaya Training Program timeline. Notes: The Kuskaya Training Program is composed of requisite and elective training opportunities, depending on the background and academic profile of the fellow. The mandatory components include courses, a year-long research project, seminars, and mentoring and check-in meetings. However, the Program has built in flexibility due to the diverse backgrounds of our fellows. For instance, additional virtual coursework (including Introduction to Epidemiology, Introduction to Biostatistics, How to Develop your Research Proposal) is available for those who do not have a background in public health. In addition, the research project timeline varies depending on the project; some fellows only submit an addendum whereas others submit an entire proposal and the length of time in the field varies as well. The monthly checkins with the entire Kuskaya team (directors, mentors, and fellows) and regular meetings with mentors serve as a control to ensure that projects are on track. Abbreviations: IRB, independent review board; UPCH, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia.