Informing 'good' global health research partnerships: A scoping review of guiding principles

Erynn M Monette; David McHugh; Maxwell J Smith; Eugenia Canas; Nicole Jabo; Phaedra Henley; Elysée Nouvet

doi:10.1080/16549716.2021.1892308

Informing 'good' global health research partnerships: A scoping review of guiding principles

Glob Health Action. 2021 Jan 1;14(1):1892308. doi: 10.1080/16549716.2021.1892308.

Authors

Erynn M Monette¹, David McHugh², Maxwell J Smith³, Eugenia Canas⁴, Nicole Jabo⁵, Phaedra Henley⁵, Elysée Nouvet³

Affiliations

¹ University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
² School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
³ School of Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
⁴ Faculty of Information and Media Studies, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
⁵ Center for One Health, University of Global Health Equity, Butaro, Rwanda.

Abstract

Background: Several sets of principles have been proposed to guide global health research partnerships and mitigate inequities inadvertently caused by them. The existence of multiple sets of principles poses a challenge for those seeking to critically engage with and develop their practice. Which of these is best to use, and why? To what extent, if any, is there agreement across proposed principles?Objective: The objectives of this review were to: (1) identify and consolidate existing documents and principles to guide global health research partnerships; (2) identify areas of overlapping consensus, if any, regarding which principles are fundamental in these partnerships; (3) identify any lack of consensus in the literature on core principles to support these partnerships.Methods: A scoping review was conducted to gather documents outlining 'principles' of good global health research partnerships. A broad search of academic databases to gather peerreviewed literature was conducted, complemented by a hand-search of key global health funding institutions for grey literature guidelines.Results: Our search yielded nine sets of principles designed to guide and support global health research partnerships. No single principle recurred across all documents reviewed. Most frequently cited were concerns with mutual benefits between partners (n = 6) and equity (n = 4). Despite a lack of consistency in the inclusion and definition of principles, all sources highlighted principles that identified attention to fairness, equity, or justice as an integral part of good global health research partnerships.Conclusions: Lack of consensus regarding how principles are defined suggests a need for further discussion on what global health researchers mean by 'core' principles. Research partnerships should seek to interpret the practical meanings and requirements of these principles through international consultation. Finally, a need exists for tools to assist with implementation of these principles to ensure their application in research practice.

Keywords: Equity; fairness; guidelines; international; transnational; values.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Global Health*
Humans
Organizations
Research Personnel*

Grants and funding

Funding to support the production of this review was provided by an Interdisciplinary Development Initiative based out of the University of Western Ontario entitled ‘Health Equity in Context: Local solutions for Global Problems’ and the Africa Institute at the University of Western Ontario.