Research collaboration counts: Addressing non-communicable diseases in a community in fast transition, a case study on diabetes from Vietnam

Background: To meet current and future health challenges, research capacity training and regional and international collaborations are needed. Outcomes of research capacity development and collaboration should be equally valued as research outputs. We report on a research project to enhance Vietnamese and Danish research capacities in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with a focus on type 2 diabetes (T2D). Method: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed research methods and concurrent training in methods, scientific writing, and field research were undertaken while studying people living with T2D and informal support persons and care-givers (ICGs) such as family, friends and peers in rural areas of Thai Binh Province. Diabetes clubs and research assistants and village health workers were trained for data collection and implementation research, and for running diabetes clubs and other interaction with people living with T2D and their ICGs. Findings: Research training was considered successful in an internal participant evaluation. About 50% more scientific peer reviewed articles than planned are published. Through close communication and collaboration, the project was completed successfully in spite of Covid-19. Conclusion: To develop effective, locally grounded responses to emerging NCDs, resources and potentials of informal health care must be investigated and involved. Research collaboration will probably have long-lasting positive impact on research capacity, competences of the health care system, and patients’ health.