Strengthening research capacity in the Pacific: an example from the Atoifi Health Research Group, Solomon Islands:

Objective:To provide an example of one model of research capacity building for mental health from a remote setting in Solomon Islands.Methods:The Atoifi Health Research Group is building health research capacity with a health service on the remote east coast of Malaita, Solomon Islands. The group uses a ‘learn-by-doing’ approach embedded in health service and community-level health projects. The group is eclectic in nature and deliberately engages a variety of partners to discover culturally informed methods of collecting, analysing and disseminating research findings.Results:Key successes of the Atoifi Health Research Group are: that it was initiated by Solomon Islanders with self-expressed desire to learn about research; the learn-by-doing model; inclusion of community people to inform questions and socio-cultural appropriateness; and commitment to ongoing support by international researchers.Conclusions:Given different social, cultural, economic, geographic, spiritual and service contexts across the Pa...