Pathfinder Studies: Strengthening Health Research Capacity in Resource-Limited Settings
Katia López, MSc¹ ², Mónica Medina, MD¹ ². ¹Departamento de Gestión Académica e Investigación, Hospital Escuela; ²Instituto de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitología Antonio Vidal; Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), health research faces significant challenges that hinder its ability to generate locally relevant scientific evidence tailored to regional needs and priorities. These challenges include limited resources, methodological barriers, and infrastructure constraints, which restrict researchers' ability to address critical public health issues. ¹
Pathfinder studies address these challenges by providing a structured framework that enables process mapping, barrier identification, solution documentation, and the sharing of lessons learned. Through its community on The Global Health Network, this model fosters international collaboration, capacity building, and access to tools such as the Pathfinder Tracker, promoting equity in knowledge generation.
This blog explores the potential of Pathfinder studies to strengthen research in resource-limited settings, emphasizing their innovative approach and their significance for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).
Pathfinder: An Innovative Approach to Achieving Equity in Research
A Pathfinder study follows a structured methodology designed to support a primary study, also referred to as a host study.² This approach provides a systematic framework to map processes, identify key research barriers, analyze and document implemented solutions, and share lessons learned to benefit research teams worldwide.¹
Pathfinder studies document each key phase of the research process, from defining research questions to translating findings into policies and practice.¹ ² These studies can be conducted retrospectively, analyzing completed projects, or prospectively, running in parallel with ongoing research.
The Pathfinder methodology employs process mapping and an action-research approach, addressing challenges such as data governance, resource limitations, and the need for ethical and effective methodologies. ² By doing so, it enables teams not only to overcome these obstacles but also to develop sustainable research capacity for the future.
Advancing Global Collaboration through Pathfinder:
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Figure 1. Global Pathfinder Community (source: Global Pathfinder Community) |
The Pathfinder global community, hosted on The Global Health Network platform, connects researchers worldwide, fostering the exchange of best practices, tools, and experiences in health research.¹ This collaborative space promotes shared learning, benefiting both individual researchers and global research teams. The Global Pathfinder Community, a key initiative within this network, serves as a hub for worldwide collaboration and knowledge exchange (Global Pathfinder Community).
One of the most valuable resources within the Pathfinder community is the Pathfinder Tracker, a tool designed to map research processes, document findings, and share effective methodologies. This versatile tool helps teams identify barriers, propose practical solutions, and optimize the research cycle in health. Additionally, interactive workshops and knowledge-sharing sessions enhance access to key methodologies and strengthen the research capabilities of teams worldwide.
Strengthening Research Capacity in the LAC Region
In The Global Health Network LAC(TGHN LAC) the Pathfinder approach has been adapted to address region-specific challenges.¹ ³ TGHN LAC community, accessible through its official website, during 2024-2025 is developing Pathfinder studies that complement research in maternal and child health, neglected diseases, tuberculosis treatment, arbovirus control, clinical trial logistics, digital tools for improving treatment adherence, and emerging infections during pregnancy.¹
Beyond its website, Pathfinder also organizes clinical sessions led by Brazil (Fiocruz, Pathfinder Data Clinic), which serves as a collaborative space. In these sessions, research teams share experiences, identify barriers, and explore practical solutions to enhance project development and implementation.
Key Benefits of Integrating the Pathfinder Approach
Pathfinder studies offer multiple benefits to research teams:
- Structured and Practical Learning: Enables the development of research skills and the application of structured methodologies to overcome barriers.
- Sustainable Collaborative Networks: Facilitates the integration of teams from different countries, promoting sustainability in research.
- Promotion of Innovation: Encourages the identification and dissemination of effective solutions to optimize health research.
Conclusion
Pathfinder studies represent an effective strategy for overcoming critical barriers in health research in low- and middle-income countries. Their innovative and collaborative approach provides research teams with a clear framework to map processes, identify obstacles, and document practical solutions that can be shared globally.
We invite researchers to join The Global Health Network LAC and explore these platforms through website(Pathfinder Resources), where they can access the Pathfinder Tracker, interactive workshops, and specific resources to strengthen their research capabilities. Through this collaboration, sustainable collective learning can be fostered, innovative solutions adapted to the local context can be promoted, and equity in knowledge generation can be enhanced, positively impacting the most vulnerable communities.
For a deeper understanding of Pathfinder Studies, you can watch the following video:
What is a Pathfinder Study? Tools and Benefits
References
- The Global Health Network LAC. What is a Pathfinder Study? Tools and Benefits. Available at: https://lac.tghn.org/actividades-y-eventos/webinarios-lac/webinario-pathfinder-es/
- The Global Health Network. About Pathfinder Studies [Internet]. Available at: https://globalhealthdatascience.tghn.org/pathfinder-projects/about-pathfinder-studies/
- The Global Health Network LAC. Pathfinder Projects. Available at: https://lac.tghn.org/proyectos-pathfinder/
*Funding: Grant Wellcome Trust 226688/Z/22/Z, Project The Global Health Network Latin America & the Caribbean: Creating Equity in Health Research by Connecting Excellence and Sharing Know-how.
The authors used ChatGPT on February 10, 2025, to translate this publication. They subsequently reviewed the content to ensure its accuracy and assume full responsibility for the publication.