Challenges and Strategies for Biomedical Researchers Returning to Low- and Middle-Income Countries after Training

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Biomedical Research
• Human Capital Development

Background:

• The "brain drain" of professionals from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to developed nations is a significant issue.
• Challenges in reintegrating biomedical researchers after international training contribute to this loss of expertise in LMICs.
• This loss hinders the development of local healthcare practices and research capacity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and propose effective strategies for the successful repatriation and reintegration of biomedical researchers into their home institutions in LMICs.
• To address the "brain drain" phenomenon by supporting researchers returning from training abroad.

Main Methods:

• Observations from workshops held during the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) 2017 and 2018 annual meetings.
• Discussion and identification of repatriation needs and challenges faced by returning researchers.

Main Results:

• Key strategies for successful reintegration include maintaining home institution connections via collaborations.
• Proactive planning 18 months prior to return, including submitted grant applications, is crucial.
• Continuous networking during the training period abroad is essential for facilitating return.

Conclusions:

• Developing robust strategies is vital to enable young biomedical researchers to thrive in LMICs.
• Establishing a network to share resources and expertise can support researcher repatriation.
• Addressing reintegration challenges can mitigate the negative impacts of "brain drain" on LMICs.