The Partnership for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) activity works to improve specialty care services for Liberians in Family Medicine, Ophthalmology, and Infectious Diseases through the establishment of a clinical residency program, training of specialist doctors, training of additional faculty for preclinical teaching, and the promotion of clinical research activities to improve the quality of care. The activity focuses on increasing the quality of and access to specialty care services for Liberians by increasing the number of Liberian medical specialists able to provide critical services in various disciplines and enhance retention of Liberian specialists through locally directed research and training opportunities.

Current Activities

  • Supports the establishment of a residency program for training of residents in the following areas: Family Medicine (FM), Ophthalmology, and Infectious Diseases (ID)
  • Strengthens FM, ID and preclinical training curricula and develop curriculum for Ophthalmology training program
  • Supports clinical research training and mentoring activities in Liberia for faculty, residents, and interns to build a culture of research for evidence-based interventions
  • Improves the quality of teaching through the establishment of a faculty development program for pre, intra, and post medical training in Liberi

Accomplishments to Date

  • Family Medicine
    • Enrolled 10 students in residency programs
    • Received two-year accreditation from the West African College of Physicians
    • First two graduates in 2020
  • Infectious Diseases
    • One Infectious Disease fellow in second year of training started fellowship training
    • Completed curriculum development for residency program
  • Ophthalmology
    • Developed curriculum now being piloted to FM residents
    • Two Ophthalmology residents on rotation through residency program
  • Research Training
    • Completed three of four research trainings
    • Developed training course materials and available on University of Massachusetts website
    • Two rounds of pilot research projects, three projects funded
  • Faculty Development
    • Identified six trainers to lead trainings at the University of Liberia
    • Trained seven faculty apprentices as trainer of trainers for continuation of the Faculty Development Program
    • Enrolled seven pre-clinical faculty at the university of Ghana for master’s degrees in anatomy, physiology, laboratory science, and biochemistry