The Pathfinder Data Clinics are part of the Pathfinder Activity Series, which includes a webinar and a Workshop. The webinar What is a Pathfinder Study? Tools and Benefits, held on August 6, 2024, aimed to introduce the concept of the Pathfinder methodology, its tools, benefits, and results, encouraging adoption by other host studies, as well as showcasing practical examples of Pathfinder Studies. The Workshop Pathfinder - How to Get Started?, held on August 27, 2024, aimed to support understanding of the methodology, discussing how to begin using it based on instruments such as the Terms of Reference and the development of the Pathfinder Protocol.
What is a Pathfinder Clinic Session? The Pathfinder Clinic Session is a meeting organized to facilitate exchanges among researchers to address specific problems encountered during the development of Pathfinder studies.
Why? The goal is to analyze and share knowledge about the Pathfinder methodology based on real experiences. These sessions also promote the exchange of ideas and the updating of practices, as well as fostering a collaborative approach in using the methodology and tools applied to Pathfinder studies.
When? Pathfinder Clinic Sessions are monthly meetings.
How to Participate? Participation is voluntary and does not require prior registration. The target audience is researchers involved in developing Pathfinder studies and others interested in the topic.
Where? Online event in Portuguese and Spanish.
Activities
In 2024, the sessions strengthened and fostered a collaborative environment among centers involved in Pathfinder studies, particularly those in Latin America and the Caribbean, linked to TGHN LAC. Each session had an average of 15 attendees, with presentations of Pathfinder study proposals from the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Colombia, and Brazil. Additionally, topics such as the use of the Pathfinder Planning Matrix, progress in drafting respective Pathfinder Protocols, and the initiation of a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document were discussed.
By July 2025, the centers have focused on collaborative products based on drafting scientific articles and continuing the stages of Pathfinder studies. The main challenges and perspectives are adapting the Tracker tool to different methodologies and creating the Pathfinder Research Club.
2024
17/09/2024
Participants:
- Brazil: Larissa Marques, Lais Araujo, Flávia Bueno, Sara Oliveira
- Colombia: Juan Pablo
- Honduras: Katia López, Jackeline Alger, Clarissa Aguilar
- Dominican Republic: Luiz Felipe Arias, Magdiel Castillo
Themes:
- Pathfinder Honduras
- Challenges in using the tracker and submission to the ethics committee.
- Pathfinder Dominican Republic
- Systematization of a digital tool for tuberculosis.
- Interviews with key actors to fill out the tracker.
Next Steps:
- Include questions about ethics and tracker flexibility in the FAQ.
22/10/2024
Participants:
- Brazil: Larissa Marques, Lais Araujo, Sara Oliveira, Daniel Camara
- Colombia: Juan Pablo
- Peru: Tania de La Cruz
- Dominican Republic: Luiz Felipe Arias
Themes:
- Pathfinder Colombia
- Focus on community engagement and qualitative studies.
- Doubts about adapting the tracker for non-quantitative methodologies.
Next Steps:
- Review FAQ with questions about ethics and the tracker.
- Next session on 12/11 with presentations by Brazilian Pathfinders.
12/11/2024
Participants:
- Brazil: Larissa Marques, Lais Araujo, Flávia Bueno, Luisa Picanço, Sara Oliveira, Daniel Camara
- Colombia: Juan Pablo
- Honduras: Katia López, Clarissa Aguilar, Monica Medina
- Dominican Republic: Luiz Felipe Arias
Themes:
- Pathfinders Brazil
- Process and stakeholder mapping.
- Difficulties with the tracker (overlapping categories).
- Discussion on deliverables:
- Webinars, policy briefs, thematic glossaries.
Next Steps:
- Schedule a session for December focusing on protocols and deliverables.
10/12/2024
Participants:
- Brazil: Larissa Marques, Flávia Bueno, Sara Oliveira, Letícia Marinho
- Colombia: Juan Pablo
- Honduras: Katia López, Jackeline Alger
- Peru: Tania de La Cruz
Themes:
- Pathfinder Honduras
- Approval by the ethics committee, with discussion on conflicts of interest.
- Sharing of the TCLE and inclusion in the toolkit.
- Common deliverables
- Highlight the tracker as a central tool (not the map).
- Discussion on articles, webinars, and translation of resources.
Next Steps:
- Include questions about ethics (conflicts of interest) in the FAQ.
- Translate methodological resources into Spanish/Portuguese.
2025
28/01/2025
Participants:
- Brazil: Larissa Pruner, Laís Araujo, Flávia Bueno, Daniel Camara, Sara Almeida, Luisa Picanço, Letícia Marinho
- Colombia: Juan Pablo Botache
- Peru: Tania De La Cruz
- Dominican Republic: Luiz Felipe Arias
Themes:
- Pathfinder Dominican Republic
- Use of the tracker to systematize qualitative data.
- Adaptation of tracker categories to the host study (digital tool for tuberculosis).
- Feedback on 2024 sessions
- Suggestions: simultaneous translation, meeting transcripts, increased participation.
Next Steps:
- Schedule presentations for Peru (February) and Colombia (March).
- Prioritize translation of tools into Spanish/English.
25/02/2025
Participants:
- Brazil: Larissa Pruner, Laís Araujo, Sara Almeida, Daniel Camara
- Colombia: Juan Pablo
- Honduras: Jackeline Alger, Katia López
- Peru: Gianfranco Arroyo, Tania De La Cruz
Themes:
- Pathfinder Peru
- Presentation of the protocol and timeline.
- Discussion on process mapping in retrospective studies.
- Preparation for the ALAMES Congress
- Submission of abstracts on Pathfinder experiences.
Next Steps:
- Send contributions for the congress slides by 31/07.
25/03/2025
Participants:
- Brazil: Larissa Pruner, Sara Almeida, Daniel Camara
- Colombia: Juan Pablo
- Honduras: Jackeline Alger, Katia López, Monica Medina
Themes:
- Pathfinder Colombia
- Ethical challenges in studies with indigenous communities.
- Use of the tracker for community engagement projects.
- Scientific publications
- Discussion on Wellcome Open Research and criteria for funded authors.
Next Steps:
- Begin translation of methodological resources into Portuguese/Spanish (Daniel and Luife).
29/04/2025
Participants:
- Brazil: Larissa Pruner, Sara Almeida, Daniel Camara, Flávia Bueno
- Colombia: Juan Pablo, Marta Cecilia
- Honduras: Jackeline Alger, Katia López, Karina Mejía
Themes:
- Pathfinder Brazil (InfoDengue and InfoGripe)
- Stakeholder mapping and lessons learned.
- Difficulties with imprecise dates in the tracker.
- Online Tracker Tool (TGHN Global)
- Criticisms: rigid structure, need for complete examples.
Next Steps:
- Develop a webinar to present regional results (October/November).
27/05/2025
Participants:
- Argentina: Viviana
- Brazil: Larissa Pruner, Luisa Picanço, Sara Almeida, Daniel Camara
- Dominican Republic: Luiz Felipe Arias
- Honduras: Jackeline Alger, Katia López
Themes:
- Presentation of the Global Tracker (by Aashna)
- Need for flexibility for qualitative studies.
- Suggestions: include multiple languages and interactive forms.
- Scientific publications
- Methodological article under review at BMC Medical Research Methodology.
Next Steps:
- Plan a regional article on experiences in Latin America.
29/07/2025
Participants:
- Brazil: Larissa Pruner, Laís Araujo, Sara Almeida, Daniel Camara
- Colombia: Juan Pablo
- Honduras: Jackeline Alger, Katia López
Themes:
- Future of the Pathfinder Clinic
- Proposals: translation of resources, Pathfinder Observatory, e-learning courses.
- Global Webinar
- Discussion on funding and organization (partnership with TGHN Global).
Next Steps:
- Assign responsibilities:
- Research Club: Katia and Karina
- Webinar: Larissa and Jackeline (October/November)
- Illustrative video: Laís, Letícia, and Sara
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