Argentina-Tulane; PI Pierre Buekens, MD, PhD

Fellowship Site: Argentina-Buenos Aires

The Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy (IECS) is an independent, non-profit organization created by professionals from the medical and social sciences devoted to research, education and technical support with the main goal of improving efficiency, equity and quality of health care systems and policies. IECS aims to assist in the improvement of efficiency, equity, quality and sustainability of health services, promoting research, development and implementation of health policies based on the best available evidence.

One of its main aims is to promote the development of research and the use of scientific recommendations at the local level, working together with health care professionals and other decision makers, both from public and private sectors, to narrow the gap between clinical and health services research and the decision making process.

IECS conducts clinical, epidemiological, qualitative, health services research studies, economic evaluations, and systematic reviews on non-communicable diseases (especially cardiovascular disease and risk factors and lifestyle risks), mother and child health, health technology evaluations of drugs, devices and practices, implementation science and health care quality improvement and patient safety. Additionally, IECS performs cross-cultural adaptation and validation of questionnaires on non-communicable diseases and studies on health related quality of life.

Its Staff has experience in using different applied research methods and designs, such as individual and cluster randomized clinical trials, observational studies, epidemiologic surveillance, qualitative research and evaluation of the comparative effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of health care interventions. In addition, our staff is specialized in data management, including the design of input templates and data entry, database preparation, management of clinical research forms, multiple validations and administration of queries.

IECS collaborates with public and private institutions in the elaboration of clinical practice guidelines, health technology assessments and economic evaluations in order to promote evidence based clinical practice according to the needs of the region, with the aim to improve the accessibility and quality of care, to foster the appropriate use of technologies and the reduction of unnecessary expenditures.

Research Opportunities:

• Mother and Child Health Research - The Department of Mother and Child Health Research (MCHR) aims to improve the health of mothers and their children by engaging in global research. It has addressed health problems like the prevention and treatment of postpartum hemorrhage, preeclampsia/eclampsia, preterm birth and low birth weight, antenatal care, and delivery care (cesarean section and episiotomy). In consortium with the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine at Tulane University, the MCHR Department is a member of the NICHD's Global Network for Women's and Children's Health Research (gn.rti.org), which aims to find global solutions to global maternal and perinatal health problems.

• Cardiovascular Health - IECS has been awarded as South American Center of Excellence in Cardiovascular Health (SACECH) by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), in consortium with Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. The main objectives of SACECH is to conduct an epidemiological study to examine the prevalence, distribution, and secular trends of traditional and novel CVD risk factors as well as their relationship to clinical CVD and use of health services in four selected locations in Argentina (Bariloche and Province of Buenos Aires), Chile (Temuco), and Uruguay (Canelones). Research opportunities for fellows may include travelling to those sites. See more information about the SACECH

• Health Technology Assessment and Economic Evaluations (HTA/EE) - This area focuses on the analyses of clinical, economic and social impacts resulting from the use of drugs, devices, practices and health care services. Since 2000, IECS has worked as a health technology assessment agency.

• Health Care Policy and Research - This area of IECS develops consulting, assessment and research activities in the organization and financing of health systems and services. Research and technical cooperation projects are conducted with different national and international institutions and focus on the study of characteristics of primary care oriented healthcare systems in developing countries, the development of human resources in primary care, the influence of economic evidence on resource-allocation decision making, systematic reviews of health care interventions regarding organization and financing of health services, the burden of cardiovascular disease, risk factors and cost-effectiveness of preventive interventions, and the financial impact and burden of cardiovascular disease on households.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care and Patient Safety - This area of IECS is devoted to the assessment and implementation of quality improvement projects. It promotes a systemic view of processes, user participation and search for improvement opportunities. Among the key aspects of its projects are: user satisfaction, implementation of clinical practice guidelines, development of a set of indicators of clinical effectiveness to apply in the region and models to evaluate health systems performance and patient safety.

• Chagas Disease - In Argentina are 1,600,000 infected people with the Chagas' disease parasite. To identify the causes that prevent the disease and develop prevention policies and effective treatment, IECS in cooperation with the Department of Epidemiology at the National Center for Diagnosis and Research of endemic-epidemic (CENDIE) along with other national and foreign institutions, developed several lines of investigation in eight provinces of Argentina and in countries such as Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Honduras and Mexico, among others. Research opportunities for fellows may include travelling to those sites.

• Other Topics: Infectious Disease, Chronic Disease, Tobacco use.

More information about IECS in the Institutional Brochure

Publications and research projects of IECS

For more information about the trainees and their research projects at IECS please click here.

 

Housing/Meals/Transportation:

Buenos Aires hosts a variety of housing options in different price ranges (700-1000 USD/month). During the first month, Fogarty trainees will stay in an apartment close to the office, organized by IECS, which can be shared by two U.S. trainees. After the first month, the scholars can decide if they wish to stay in the apartment or if they prefer other housing options. IECS will assist the scholars in organizing suitable and reliable housing in a secure area of the city. The distance to IECS varies according to the location of the residence, but generally all accommodations are within the city centre, which is easily explored by foot or public transportation. IECS is situated one block from the underground “D” train, the Faculty of Medicine and the School of Public Health of the University of Buenos Aires.

Health Issues:

Before traveling, visitors should update their routine vaccines, if necessary. Recommended vaccinations for Argentina according to the Centre for Disease Control include typhoid and hepatitis A and B and, if traveling to the Northern provinces, rabies and yellow fever. Please visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control website and The Yellow Book: Health Information for International Travel for more information. NIH/ICRF trainees are required to see a physician before leaving for assignment abroad.

Safety Issues:

Visitors are advised not to display expensive jewelry or to carry large amounts of money or travel documents. In case of robbery, scholars will be instructed to hand over their valuables without resistance so as to avoid the use of violence. Thus far, there has been only one case of theft for the more than 30 interns IECS has hosted since 2003. See the U.S. State Department website for more information.

Language requirement other than English:

Project-related meetings could be held in English, but the weekly team meetings are held in Spanish, for which basic Spanish skills are necessary. Field activities could be accompanied by a Spanish speaking partner, if necessary. Generally, IECS expects that candidates will have basic Spanish skills so as to enhance understanding, communication and cooperation. Language training is available at several different language institutes, and IECS can advice and facilitate Spanish language training during the stay.

What is it like to live in Argentina?

Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina, is also the cultural capital of South America and one of the most important and dynamic business points of the region. Home to grand European architecture, it has a relaxed culture and intellectual sophistication that nurtures a vibrant and cosmopolitan ethos.