Caribbean Centre for Health Systems Research and Development

"Better Health Systems...Healthier Lives."

Research Services

We conduct health policy and systems research (HPSR) that is responsive to the needs of decision-makers and health and social system leaders. Our multi-disciplinary research program covers implementation and improvement research and spans all thematic areas related to achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and other regional research agendas.

We work closely with policymakers to set priorities and to ensure research is institutionalised within health and social systems.

We develop and disseminate knowledge translation products to share the findings from the Centre’s research with policymakers, partners, and other knowledge-users.

Research Highlights:

  • Reverse Research Day

    • Policymakers need access to robust evidence to make well-informed decisions. RRDs are very powerful mechanisms in facilitating the conduct of research that is relevant to decision-makers, by providing a forum where policy actors (policymakers, health planners, programme managers and civil society) can share their research needs with researchers and academic institutions.

  • Development of National Health Research Agenda

    • The Research Sub-Committee, T&T Cabinet-appointed Senior Joint Planning Committee is Developing a National Health Research Agenda and CCHSRD is coordinating the development of a national health research agenda.

    • Health Research Agendas comprise lists of priority research topics. Consequently, they guide the conduct of research that support the implementation of evidence-informed policies, programmes, and practice. They also serve as a guide for resources allocation to ensure that the limited funding for health are invested in areas with the highest social return.

    • Towards the development of the National Health Research Agenda, a Reverse Research Day was hosted in July 2022 in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. The latter presented its Strategic Priority Areas (SPAs) and related research evidence needs. These were later shared with Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) and universities who in turn added their institutional priorities. The combined list of priority research topics, aligned to SPAs, were ranked by MOH, RHAs and 3 major academic institutions.

    • A stakeholder consultation will be convened before the Agenda is finalized and shared with researchers and funders.

  • Strengthening the Research System at the Faculty of Medical Sciences (FMS) – Research Discussion Forum (RDF)

    • The RDF is an online platform. Its primary objective is to facilitate and encourage discourse among FMS staff on research-related topics, geared towards peer-to-peer support, the exchange of ideas, and the identification of solutions.

  • Dissemination of Research Findings – T&T National Health Research Conference

    • Annual National Health Research Conference of T&T is hosted in collaboration with Ministry of Health, Tobago House of Assembly, five Regional Health Authorities, University of Trinidad and Tobago, University of the Southern Caribbean

  • Research Studies

    • CCHSRD is involved in 3 collaborative projects at various stages of completion/dissemination.

      1. Readiness for Change for the Implementation of Community Based Mental Health Service (CBMHS):
        The Ministry of Health, T&T is in the process of finalizing the development of its National Mental Health Policy with an emphasis on the deinstitutionalization of mental health services and a shift to community-based care. Anecdotal evidence suggested that there is a perceived low level of preparedness and inadequate human and material resources needed to facilitate the implementation of CBMHS. This project was designed to identify/quantify the psychological and structural components of readiness for change, at the individual and organizational level, of mental health care providers towards the implementation of CBMHS:

      2. Health Systems Utilization and Satisfaction by Older Adults

      3. Impact of COVID-19 Control Measure on NCD Risk Factors and Metabolic Health:
        Control measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 in many LMICs had interfered with daily routines and food systems. In this study we examined how control measures used in 3 Caribbean islands (Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad) impacted metabolic health, disease control and health-related lifestyle practices in people living with NCDs.

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