Title: Framework for Operations and Implementation Research in Health
1Framework for Operations and Implementation
Research in Health
2Purpose of the Framework
- The purpose of this document is to serve as a
primary reference for people who plan and carry
out operations research (OR) in order to improve
the implementation and management of disease
control and other health programs - The overall approach is that of a framework that
helps researchers and program managers identify
the steps needed - to set a research question and then work through
the steps of research design, implementation,
management and reporting, - ultimately leading to the use of the findings to
improve health policies and programs in order to
attain the desired impact.
3Framework Methodology
- Review of existing guidelines, handbooks, case
studies and grant proposals - Site visits to countries that have incorporated
OR into an overall proposal for disease control - Consultative meeting with experienced people from
partners and the field
4Framework Components
- Concepts and Background
- Framework Flow Chart
- Toolkit and References
5Added Value
- The added value of this document is to produce
the analysis of practical OR experiences in the
field, and based on the analysis of these
evidences to create a one-stop shop document
which - identifies good practices
- identifies typical (i.e. common) weaknesses
- provides practically usable step-by-step
description of the entire OR process from A to Z,
and - demonstrates what kind of practical applications
(e.g. linking OR to improvement of quality and
quantity of services) OR might have
6SECTION A - CONCEPTS
7Terminology of OR-IR
- The terminology for such research may vary by
setting and sponsor, but the intent of OR and
this framework is to learn about management,
administrative, cultural, social, behavioral,
economic and other factors that either exist as
bottlenecks to effective implementation or could
be tested to drive insights into new, more
effective approaches to programming - By its very nature, this research is usually
specific to the environment in which the program
operates, although there are multi-country
research projects that address a problem common
to several countries in a region.
8Scope of Operational Research
- Any research producing practically usable
knowledge (evidence, findings, information, etc)
which can improve program implementation (e.g.,
effectiveness, efficiency, quality, access,
scale-up, sustainability) regardless of the type
of research (design, methodology, approach) falls
within the boundaries of operational research.
9OR/IR can accomplish the following
- Identify and solve program problems in a timely
manner - Help policy-makers and program managers make
evidence-based program decisions - Improve program quality and performance using
scientifically valid methods - Help program managers and staff understand how
their programs work
10Examples from the Field
- Nicaragua Examining the Effectiveness of Testing
and Treatment Programs for Malaria - Zimbabwe Identifying Gaps in HIV Prevention
among Orphans and Young People in Hwange District - The Gambia Testing Effectiveness of ACTs to
Treat Malaria - Mekong Region Improving Malaria Control Among
Vulnerable Populations - Cambodia Treating Tuberculosis in the Private
Sector
11SECTION B METHODS AND MANAGEMENT FLOWCHART
12Phases of the Processes
- Planning
- Implementation
- Follow Through
13Flow Chart Components Planning
- Organize the research group and advisory
committee - Determine issues or problems to study and frame
research questions around these - Develop a research proposal to answer OR/IR
questions - Obtain ethical clearance
- Identify funding sources and obtain support for
OR/IR - Establish a budget and financial management
procedures - Plan for capacity building and technical support
14Flow Chart Implementation
- Monitor project implementation and maintain
quality - Pre-test all research procedures
- Establish and maintain data management and
quality control - Explore together with stakeholders
interpretations and recommendations arising from
the research findings
15Flow Chart Follow Through
- Develop a dissemination plan
- Disseminate results and recommendations
- Document changes in policy and/or guidelines that
resulted from the research - Monitor changes in the revised program
- Consider ways of improving the program that can
be tested through further research
16SECTION C CASE STUDIES, TOOLKITS and RESOURCES
17Case Study Nicaragua Example
- Example of Research Question
- Study on the acceptation and impact of
impregnated mosquito nets in P. falciparum
transmission areas - Those responsible for the IR/OR work are also
responsible for implementing control actions and
to a large extent, national policies - Need for key competencies for data collection
preparation, data cleaning and entry and analysis
was not fully appreciated during the planning
phase - PAHO, WHO and others should play a very proactive
role to provide support
18Toolkits handbooks, guidelines
19References, Resources, Examples
20Annexes
21List of Annexes
- Annex A
- Definitions of Operations and Implementation
Research - Annex B
- Examples of Organizations that Fund/Support
Operations Research - Annex C
- Literature Review Procedures and Relevant
Journals - Annex D
- Sample Consent Forms and Independent Review Board
Checklists - Annex E
- Linkage between Researchers and Public Health
22Conclusion
- OR-IR provides tools to identify new directions
in health programming and to conquer
implementation bottlenecks - OR-IR strengthens our public health efforts
- Thank you for attending, and please access and
use the OR-IR Framework at - http//www.theglobalfund.org/documents/rounds/9/CP
_Pol_R9_FrameworkForOperationsResearch_en.pdf