{"id":242414,"date":"2026-05-30T18:11:12","date_gmt":"2026-05-30T12:11:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kgumsb.edu.bt\/?p=242414"},"modified":"2026-05-30T18:11:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-30T12:11:14","slug":"bhutans-structured-mentoring-approach-to-research-training-b-smart-3-0","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kgumsb.edu.bt\/?p=242414","title":{"rendered":"Bhutan&#8217;s Structured &amp; Mentoring Approach to Research Training (B-SMART 3.0)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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 Bhutan\u2019s Structured &amp; Mentoring Approach to Research Training (B-SMART 3.0) at Jambayang Resort, Thimphu, from 18\u201330 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adapted from the internationally recognized SORT-IT (Structured Operational Research and Training Initiative) model developed by The Union and M\u00e9decins Sans Fronti\u00e8res (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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The B-SMART is Tailored specifically to Bhutan\u2019s local healthcare context, this Operational Research (OR), but not limited to other implementation or case control or clinical trails, training program is designed to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Enhance Research Capacity<strong>:<\/strong>\u00a0Build practical skills for researchers to undertake operational and health systems research.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Support Evidence-Based Decisions<strong>:<\/strong>\u00a0Improve planning and decision-making frameworks within the national healthcare system.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Master the Research Pipeline: Equip participants with end-to-end skills, from initial proposal conceptualization to publication and data dissemination.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The two-week intensive program focused on distinct phases of the research process:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Week 1 (Module 1): Operational Research &amp; Protocol Development<\/strong><strong><ins>, which included:<\/ins><\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>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.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Participants further learned how to develop data documentation (DDS) sheets or codebook\u00a0\u00a0and\/or electronic Case Report Form (eCRF); and align research findings with policy and programme implementation needs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Week 2 (Module 2): Efficient, Quality-Assured Data Capture &amp; management using REDCap and Data Analysis-I<\/strong><ul><li>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.\u00a0<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>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.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>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.<s><del>.<\/del><\/s><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Key Milestones and Deliverables<\/strong><br>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.\u00a0<br>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. Attendance and Course Requirements<\/strong><br>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5. Closing Session &amp; Certification<\/strong><br>The closing ceremony was graced by the Hon\u2019ble President of KGUMSB and JDWNRH who awarded certificates of participation and encouraged trainees to continue generating high-quality evidence to strengthen Bhutan\u2019s health system. The Director, MECRIT was also in atttendance during the closing session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>6. Wayforward<\/strong><br>Participants will now return to their respective workplaces to finalize protocols, obtain necessary approvals, and initiate data collection. They will reconvene in approximately 7\u20138 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"242415\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kgumsb.edu.bt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BSmart-3.0-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-242415\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kgumsb.edu.bt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BSmart-3.0-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.kgumsb.edu.bt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BSmart-3.0-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.kgumsb.edu.bt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BSmart-3.0-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.kgumsb.edu.bt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BSmart-3.0-600x400.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/www.kgumsb.edu.bt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BSmart-3.0.jpeg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"242416\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kgumsb.edu.bt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BSmart-Group-Photo-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-242416\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kgumsb.edu.bt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BSmart-Group-Photo-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.kgumsb.edu.bt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BSmart-Group-Photo-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.kgumsb.edu.bt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BSmart-Group-Photo-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.kgumsb.edu.bt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BSmart-Group-Photo-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.kgumsb.edu.bt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BSmart-Group-Photo-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.kgumsb.edu.bt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BSmart-Group-Photo-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.kgumsb.edu.bt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BSmart-Group-Photo-600x450.jpeg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 Bhutan\u2019s Structured &amp; Mentoring Approach to Research Training (B-SMART 3.0) at Jambayang Resort, Thimphu, from &hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[80],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-242414","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-newsroom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kgumsb.edu.bt\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/242414","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kgumsb.edu.bt\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kgumsb.edu.bt\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kgumsb.edu.bt\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kgumsb.edu.bt\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=242414"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.kgumsb.edu.bt\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/242414\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":242417,"href":"https:\/\/www.kgumsb.edu.bt\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/242414\/revisions\/242417"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kgumsb.edu.bt\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=242414"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kgumsb.edu.bt\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=242414"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kgumsb.edu.bt\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=242414"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}