Jordan MLS Collaboration Teleconference
6 March 2014
Roll Call

Jacob Hodges LMITT

Dr. Aiman Al SumadiJordanian Royal Medical Services

Dr. Asem HiariJordanian Royal Medical Services

Nooraldeen SulimanArab Jordanian Center for Studies

Introduction

Discussion:

-This meeting was a follow-up of the Jordan MLS Research Protocol Teleconference that was held on 7 February 2014 in order to obtain an update on the status of the “Medical Knowledge and Skills Needs for Military Personnel Receiving Refugees at Borders” Research Project Proposal, MLS Concept Evaluation Feedback, and to provide advice on an upcoming Humanitarian Assistance Meeting in Amman, Jordan.

Research Protocol Update

Discussion:

-The problems previously encountered with the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Human Research Course have been resolved. They are all able to log-on to the training and have started taking the Human Research Course.

  • Jacob Hodges reminded them that at the end of their training session, they will receive two Certificates of Completion (i.e., Responsible Conduct for Research and Ombudsman). Save both of the Certificates of Completion in a PDF since they will be needed as evidence to show they have fulfilled their training requirements.

Medical Knowledge and Skills Needs for Military Personnel Receiving Refugees at Borders Research Project

Discussion:

-The Jordan Team is working on the proposal and should have it ready for an initial review by the end of the month. They have decided to conduct the research project in three phases (i.e., investigation, survey, and product development).

  • The decision to separate the research project into phases is a solid approach and will ensure the investigation of what basic medical knowledge and skills is developed to a research standard (i.e., references, scientific reasoning, due diligence, etc.) in order to support the refugee crisis. This approach also ensures that the ONRG-sponsored Humanitarian Assistance Meeting that will be held in Amman, Jordan can be used as part of the background information that documents the need for the survey and development stages.
  • As part of the initial package, the proposal will need to outline the next phases that are expected for the project. The completion of the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Human Research Course by the Principal Investigators will show that they are already thinking about the requirements for conducting surveys and interviews in accordance with Department of Defense (DoD)/Department of the Navy (DoN) requirements.

MLS Concept Evaluation

Discussion:

-A brief discussion was held based on the emails and recommendations made by Noor Suliman regarding adding Arabic sub-texting to the American Cultures video that is being used for the Concept Evaluation.

  • Aiman Al Sumadi and Asem Hiari said that it was provided to encourage a dialogue to ensure all aspects were covered. It was not meant to say that Jordan wanted to add Arabic sub-texting to the video.
  • The Jordanian Royal Medical Services has a policy that they will not send individuals to the U.S (or the UK) unless they have a good English Comprehension Language (ECL) skill based on taking an English Language Test. Therefore, there is no need to have Arabic sub-texting since the volunteers participating in the Concept Evaluation will have good English Comprehension Skills.
  • For the Concept Evaluation, it was mentioned that the Jordanian volunteers will come from a population of those that have already been to the US and those who have yet to go. This will provide some insight as to the ‘transfer of knowledge’ and if the information presented captures the essence of the American Culture as presented in the training.

-Jacob Hodges informed the team that we are currently looking at holding the Train-the-Trainer Concept Evaluation Meeting in on September 17-18, 2014 in the United Kingdom in Brighton or Canterbury. In addition to the upcoming meeting, it seems that international participants will not be required to submit individual Visiting Scientist Program (VSP) request to ONRG since Germany will take the lead and submit a package that includes all international participants.

  • Aiman Al Sumadi and Asem Hiari were glad that the request would be made as a complete package since it will make the arrangements easier. Once they have received the decision on the date/location of the meeting, they can start making arrangements to ensure the entire Jordan team can attend.

-Since Aiman Al Sumadi and Asem Hiari have changed their approach toward the research proposal to include several phases they will not be contributing content in support of the Concept Evaluation. Therefore, they would like to cancel their previously scheduled engagement at the MLS Management Team.

Additional Items

Discussion:

-A brief discussion was held on the upcoming Humanitarian Assistance Requirement to Support Emerging Refugee Crisis (HA/RC) Kick-off Workshop that is scheduled for 5-7 June 2014 in Amman, Jordan. The discussion focused on what activities were needed to ensure appropriate individuals/organizations received an invite to the Workshop as well as the type of invitation that should be sent to all.

  • Jacob Hodges recommended that Asem Hiari send an email to the key workshop coordinators asking them for the email addresses of individuals/organization they think should be invited to the workshop. This is critical since they would want to limit the number of participants based on the funding restrictions.
  • Whilst the email addresses are being collected, Jacob Hodges recommended that they prepare a draft ‘By Invitation Only’ email that can be used as the invitation.

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