"From clinical research to community research"

The 17 and 18 days of January at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Azuay took place two workshops given by Dr. Robert Aronson, Director of the Public Health Program of the University of Taylor.

The workshops had as themes "Moving from clinical-based research to community-based research" and "Using combined qualitative research methods to assess change in the community".

Family doctors specialized in community health in rural areas of the provinces of Cañar, Morona Santiago and Azuay were invited to the conference.

The University of Azuay maintains an agreement with the University of Taylor for which this type of event is possible, where the exchange of information is the main element.

Aronson, with his experience in research in communities in his native country, United States, intends through these workshops to transmit their knowledge and motivate communities and their doctors to conduct research.

"From my experience working with vulnerable communities, I hope that in Ecuador we will achieve the maximum potential of rural communities and that through research, we will be able to solve problems that affect each sector," said the Director of the Public Health Program at Taylor University. .

Knowing your community is the main message that Aronson gave during the workshops, since according to his point of view, many times the health programs that are executed for rural areas do not solve real and specific problems of that community but are only generic. .

Therefore, through research in each community, each patient can be addressed in a more effective manner, obtaining unique and applicable data for each rural sector.