Case Study: Research Policy Interface Thematic Group
Comprehensive Clinical Breast Examination training curriculum for healthcare workers in Malawi
Academics and Institutional Affiliation:
Jakub Gajewski & Chiara Pittalis
Royal College of Surgeons Ireland
Evidence of policy outcome referencing the role of the research:
The Clinical Breast Examination (CBE) training curriculum, developed and piloted by RCSI researchers in collaboration with Malawian clinical, governmental, and civil sector stakeholders, represents a critical building block for the forthcoming National Breast Cancer Control Plan in Malawi, providing a scalable and context-specific model to strengthen early detection, referral, and workforce capacity across the health system.
Research undertaken that informed or underpinned the policy outcome:
Pittalis C, Chalulu K, Banda JC, Chisala P, Algheffari J, Mwandira R, Gajewski J, Schouten E. Empowering early detection: a pioneering breast health training course for healthcare workers in Malawi. BMJ Global Health. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2024-018589
Key learnings for you from this research-policy bridging process:
In the context of a low-income country, research is essential to provide a framework for policies in development.
Close collaboration with local authority, MoH in particular, ensured good uptake of our research findings, but more importantly the need for them in the first place.
SDGs impacted:
SDG 3, SDG 10 & SDG 17
