Empowering Global Health Research – The MECOR Program: A Journey Towards Excellence in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
Introduction
Welcome to the MECOR Program, an initiative by the American Thoracic Society (ATS) aimed at advancing research skills in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine worldwide. Since its inception in 1994, MECOR has built medical research capacity in low- and middle-income countries, connecting over 2,500 alumni globally.
About the Program
The MECOR Program offers a structured, multi-level curriculum designed to empower healthcare professionals with essential research skills. Our goal is to improve global lung health by developing local and regional research capacity in low- and middle-income countries.
Annual Dates and Venues
Stay updated with our upcoming courses! Check out the dates and venues for this year's MECOR Program courses across different regions. Ready to make a difference in lung health research? Explore more about each course and apply.
Program Structure and Levels
MECOR provides three progressive levels of training:
- Level 1: Introduction to Clinical Research – Focuses on basic research concepts, developing research questions, and designing protocols.
- Level 2: Clinical Research Methods – Advances statistical approaches, data preparation, and quality control planning.
- Level 3: Advanced Clinical Research Methods – Centers on data analysis, manuscript preparation, and grant writing.
Program Goals
- Develop local and regional research capacity to address pressing lung health challenges.
- Equip participants with the skills to design, conduct, and publish impactful research.
- Foster global collaboration and mentorship among researchers, clinicians, and public health professionals.
Comprehensive Curriculum
The MECOR curriculum combines:
- Flipped Classroom Model: Pre-course online learning, including video lectures and assigned reading.
- In-Person Training: Intensive 5-day classroom sessions with one-on-one mentorship.
- Research Development: Guidance in protocol creation, data analysis, and manuscript writing over a multi-year period.
The MECOR Program spans regions including Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and Türkiye. Through partnerships with local and regional institutions, MECOR fosters collaboration and equips researchers to tackle public health challenges effectively.
Get Involved
Discover our courses and program structure, stay updated on annual dates and venues, and join our global network of innovators.
For inquiries, contact:
Christina Braz, Managing Director of Membership Engagement and Global Health: cbraz@thoracic.org
Jadir Oliveira, ATS Senior Manager of Global Health: joliveira@thoracic.org