Issues in collaborative research between health educators and medical scientists: a case study

The inclusion of health education in medical research schemes, if it happens at all, is usually after major social, behavioral, and educational problems have surfaced that threaten the success or survival of the project. Lack of collaboration arises not only from a narrowly and inappropriately conceived role for health education but also from communications barriers inherent in differing professional orientations and methodologies. A case study on malaria research in a rural Nigerian community demonstrates that health educators need to take initiative in defining a role for themselves in biomedical research, even if the opportunity may seem to come too late. Any chance for interaction provides potential for learning and understanding that will pave the way for collaboration in the future.