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of the San Marcos Expedition Participants (www.rickmeyers.com)
Report on Lima Research Project:
The Lima research project was initiated at the request
of Elder Rick and Sister Alma Meyers. The project was sponsored by
the Thrasher Research Fund. Dr. and Mrs. Robert O. Cooley were the
facilitators of the project. The objective of the project was to enhance
the research capabilities of the faculty at San Marcos University,
present the foundation for evidence based learning and therapy and
evaluate the potential for research into the health status among children
in Lima and other areas in Peru.
On September 15th and 16th, 2000, Seminars and workshops were conducted
at San Marcos University. In order to enhance in-depth learning and
as a prelude to the program, handouts for each topic of discussion
were prepared and translated into Spanish. In addition, the audio-visual
presentations were translated into Spanish and the Spanish version
was projected while Dr. Cooley worked simultaneously with an English
Outline. A professional translator simultaneously provided Spanish
language translation of the dialogue. This method permitted direct
interaction between Dr. Cooley and the participants of the program,
each in their own native language.
During the afternoon of the first day, the participants were divided
into five groups. Each group was given an assignment to produce a
research topic and develop a proposal to carry out that project based
on the concepts presented during the morning session. Dr. Cooley visited
several workshop groups for guidance and to answer questions. At the
end of the day, each group submitted a typed version of their proposal.
Later that night with the help of Sister Meyers, Dr. Cooley prepared
a critique of each project proposal.
On the second day, presentations on various aspects of conducting
and reporting research and preparation of a manuscript for publication
were provided. A question and answer session followed each presentation.
In the afternoon, each group presented their research proposal to
the conference and Dr. Cooley offered a discussion analysis of each
report.
We had expected 30-40 participants for these sessions. However, there
were more than 100 participants on the first day and 97 on the second
day.
The last two days were spent evaluating research potential in children.
We visited a satellite health clinic sponsored by LDS Charities and
The LDS Academy of Dentists as and adjunct to the original project
at San Marcos University. Members of the faculty operate the clinic.
We evaluated the clinic for potential research use and discussed various
proposals and interests of faculty members at the clinic. Each had
participated in the previous seminar sessions and provide a great
opportunity for cooperative research.
On the last day, we visited an elementary school in one poverty neighborhood
served by the satellite clinic. We talked with the administrators,
teachers and students. The other school serviced by the clinic is
in a better economic environment. These two populations would serve
well for comparative health studies. We found that these children
have many general and oral health problems.
In the afternoon, we met with the Director of the Ministry of Health
for Peru. We discussed research potential in Peru and he was eager
to participate in cooperative studies. He stated a great desire to
evaluate alternative methods for fluoride delivery to children in
urban and rural populations. Lack of resources and inadequate supervision
inhibit well-designed research projects concerning health problems
in children. The seminars and workshops have developed interest and
understanding of the value of research as well as methods to develop
good projects. Follow-up interaction is necessary to assist in concept
application.
Robert O. Cooley, DDS, MS
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