Implementing an innovative intervention to increase research capacity for enhancing early psychosis care in Indonesia

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE TOPIC?: In low- and middle-income settings (LMICs) such as Indonesia, the burden from psychotic illness is significant due to large gaps in treatment provision Mental health workers and community nurses are a growing workforce requiring new evidence to support practice and enhanced roles and advanced competencies among UK mental health nurses also requires greater research capacity Research capacity building projects can strengthen research institutions, enhance trial capacity, improve quality standards and improve attitudes towards the importance of health research. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS?: Delivering innovative, cross-cultural workshops to enhance research capacity to multidisciplinary, early career researchers in Indonesia and the UK are rated highly by attendees Supporting people in this way helps them to gain competitive grant funding to complete their own research which can improve the health of the population To our knowledge, there are no other studies reporting the attainment of grant income as a successful outcome of international research partnerships for mental health nursing so our finding is novel. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: This method could be implemented to improve networking and collaboration between UK academics and early career researchers in other lower- and middle-income settings This strategy can also strengthen existing partnerships among early career researchers in the UK to meet the demands for greater research mentorship and leadership among mental health nurses and enhance nurses capabilities to contribute to evidence for practice.

Aim To strengthen research capacity for nurses and early career researchers in Indonesia and the UK to develop a local evidence base in Indonesia to inform policy and improve the nation's health. These strategies can strengthen research institutions, enhance trial capacity, improve quality standards and improve attitudes towards the importance of health research. Methods Four days of workshops were held in Jakarta, Indonesia developing collaborative groups of academic nurses and early career researchers from the UK and Indonesia (30 people including mentors) to produce competitive grant bids to evaluate aspects of early psychosis care. Qualitative and quantitative evaluations were conducted. Results Participants evaluated the workshops positively finding benefit in the structure, content and delivery. Research impact was shown by attaining several successful small and large grants and developing offshoot collaborative relationships. Discussion These novel findings demonstrate that collaborative workshops can strengthen research capacity by developing partnerships and instigating new collaborations and networks. No other studies of international research partnerships among mental health nurses have reported this outcome to our knowledge. Implications for Practice This method could be implemented to improve networking and collaboration between UK academics and early career researchers and also with external colleagues in other LMICs.