title: A model for Southern Mediterranean research institute self-assessment: a SWOT analysis-based approach to promote capacity building at Theodor Bilharz Research Institute in Cairo (Egypt).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  THEBERA is a project funded by the European Union (EU), as an ERA-WIDE FP7 project, aiming to strengthen the Theodor Bilharz Research Institute (TBRI) capacities.
  
  
  METHODS
  A SWOT (strength/weakness/opportunities/threats) analysis of human, structural and organisational existing resources was performed in light of an extensive analysis of liver disease research and clinical management in Egypt, for a full understanding of TBRI needs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Strength and weakness features were identified and analysed, so were actions to be implemented and targets to be accomplished, to develop a business plan gathering the required critical mass (political, scientific, industrial, social) to select investment priorities, to sacrifice non-strategic areas of research, to promote national and international connections and industrial innovations, to update diagnostics and research device technologies and clinical management processes at European levels, to implement fundraising activities, to organise and properly assess training activities for young researchers, physicians, nurses, and technicians.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Research institute self assessment is a priority need for sustainable capacity building and for future build-up of a competent health care research institute. Sustainable capacity building strategies must be designed on needs assessment, involving salient requirements: clear strategy, leverage of administrative capacities, industrial support and connections, systematised training programmes and enhancement of mobility of health care staff implemented within ill-defined boundaries and continuously re-evaluated with multiple feedback loops in order to build a complex, adaptable and reliable system based on value.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, University Hospital in Pisa, Via Paradisa 2, Pisa, Italy. Electronic address: dghinolfi@yahoo.it.
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ghinolfi
authors.affiliation: Immunology & Therapeutic Evaluation Division, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, El-Nile St., Warrak El-Hader, Imbaba Giza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Hanan G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: El Baz
authors.affiliation: Bocconi University, Via Sarfatti 25, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Elio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Borgonovi
authors.affiliation: Academy for Scientific Research, 101 Kasr El-Einy St., Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Amr
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Radwan
authors.affiliation: Academy for Scientific Research, 101 Kasr El-Einy St., Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Ola
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Laurence
authors.affiliation: Public Health Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, El-Nile St., Warrak El-Hader, Imbaba Giza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Hanan A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Sayed
authors.affiliation: Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, University Hospital in Pisa, Via Paradisa 2, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Simone
authors.affiliation: Public Health Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, El-Nile St., Warrak El-Hader, Imbaba Giza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Moaz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abdelwadoud
authors.affiliation: Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, University Hospital in Pisa, Via Paradisa 2, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stefani
authors.affiliation: Immunology & Therapeutic Evaluation Division, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, El-Nile St., Warrak El-Hader, Imbaba Giza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Sanaa S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Botros
authors.affiliation: Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, University Hospital in Pisa, Via Paradisa 2, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Filipponi
mesh_terms: D000047:Academies and Institutes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D057191:Capacity Building / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004534:Egypt; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D016730:Program Development
keywords: Cirrhosis; Egypt; Hepatitis C; SWOT analysis; TBRI