Maternal Health Guideline Implementation Research Workshop
PATH is an international organization that drives transformative innovation to save lives and improve health, especially among women and children. We accelerate innovation across five platforms—vaccines, drugs, diagnostics, devices, and system and service innovations—that harness our entrepreneurial insight, scientific and public health expertise, and passion for health equity. By mobilizing partners around the world, we take innovation to scale, working alongside countries primarily in Africa and Asia to tackle their greatest health needs. Together, we deliver measurable results that disrupt the cycle of poor health.
In partnership with Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction and Department of Reproductive Health and Research (HRP/RHR) at the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute at the University of Toronto, Canada we are working to meet the challenge of improving the translation of evidence-based knowledge products (i.e., WHO guidelines) into practice in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), using the Knowledge to Action (KTA) Framework to guide activities. This collaboration is known as the GREAT (Guideline-driven, Research priorities, Evidence synthesis, Application of evidence, and Transfer of knowledge) Network. The GREAT Network offers a unique approach to guideline implementation as it utilizes a number of key activities related to knowledge translation (KT), including developing an international network of KT researchers in LMICs. Furthermore, the GREAT Network is collaborating with WHO staff members who are experienced with the WHO Strategic Approach model. This model has been used previously in family planning and unsafe abortion activities to prioritize, identify, implement and scale up interventions.
In line with this the WHO in collaboration with Ministry of Health of Ethiopia (MOH), Ethiopia public health institute and PATH office has initiated a project to identify barriers and facilitators to implementing evidence-based maternal health guidelines and develop a guideline implementation strategy in participating settings in Ethiopia.
The project objectives are:
1.Identify and engage relevant local stakeholders (e.g., lay healthcare workers, clinicians, researchers/academics and policymakers) to serve as in-country champions and advisors throughout the course of the project.
2.Identify local priorities for guideline implementation, including which commodities and guidelines are priorities for improved implementation;
3.Conduct a multi-phased, mixed methods study in partnership with local stakeholders to identify barriers and facilitators to guideline implementation;
4.Support the establishment of a local working group to develop and implement strategies to address identified barriers and build on identified facilitators;
5.Work with the local working group to develop an implementation and evaluation strategy to monitor the processes and impacts of working group activities; and
6.Provide mentorship, training, and other resources to support the efforts of the local working group.
Mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative), three-phased approach will be used to implement this project. Once partners are identified, the project involves a readiness assessment and assembly of a local multi-stakeholder group on local guideline priorities (Phase 1); in-person meetings hosted in the participating country by local partners to identify priorities, barriers, and facilitators to guideline implementation (Phase 2); and development of an implementation plan that incorporates complementary strategies to address the barriers identified in Phase 2 (Phase 3). Phases 2 and 3 will utilise a 2 day in-country workshop with relevant local stakeholders. Local stakeholders will be engaged prior to Phase 2 so that they can inform the planning processes required to successfully tailor the activities of Phase 2 to the country context.
Justification
All health care systems are faced with the challenges of improving quality of care. Globally, health systems fail to optimally use evidence which results in reduced quantity and quality of life. The generation of new knowledge through clinical research is a necessary step, but does not ensure the provision of optimal care nor the compliance of health care workers with evidence and best practices. Recognizing this challenge has led to growing interest in finding methodologies that support effective, sustained implementation of evidence (such as guidelines) in clinical practice.
Therefore as part of the project organizing a national workshop will bring all the key stakeholders’, to identify barriers and facilitators to guideline implementation at the health worker and health system level and develop an implementation plan that incorporates complementary strategies to address the barriers identified on implementation of the guidelines in Ethiopia.
Date and Venue of the Workshop
The maternal health guideline implementation research workshop will take place on 4 and 5 of May 2015 in Bishofitu, Ethiopia.
Objectives of the Workshop
The objective of this workshop is to conduct in-country meetings with groups of relevant local stakeholders to identify barriers and facilitators to guideline implementation at the health worker and health system level. It will be conducted in two parts –focus group meetings. (Day 1) and an in-person consensus meeting (Day 2).
Expected Outcomes of the Workshop
The discussion platform is established
To identify and explore priorities related to the relevant guideline, as well as barriers and facilitators to the adaptation and implementation of relevant WHO Maternal health guidelines
During this meeting, interviews and focus groups will be conducted, and participants will discuss and rate the importance of each barrier to the implementation of the guidelines.
Conduct an in-person meeting with all participating stakeholders to review and discuss the results of activities.
Develop an implementation plan that incorporates complementary strategies to address the barriers identified on implementation of the guidelines in Ethiopia.
Scope of the Work
a)Follow up presentations, plenary and compile questions and answers during sessions from 4 to 5 May 2015 in Bishoftu as per the agenda
b)Taking detailed note for the focus group discussions (4 note takers are needed)
c)Following the meeting, the note takers will work together to compare findings and resolve any differences though discussion with the meeting participants.
d)Compile speeches and remarks made during the opening and closing sessions
e)Complement the text with relevant pictures and captions
Duties and Responsibilities
A.The consultant will:
Undertake all activities stated above
Be responsible for the completion of the key deliverables stated in the TOR within the time limit (one week)
Provide the final proceedings after incorporating and addressing the comments and clearance by PATH/WHO
Prepare activity schedule to be approved by PATH/WHO
Submit the draft document to PATH/WHO for review and feedback
B.PATH/WHO will:
a)Play key role in supervising the conceptualization and design and scripting of the proceedings by organizing key meetings with the consultants
b)Review the draft document to ensure comprehensiveness and alignment with the values of the organizations
Time Schedule and Reporting
The work with the final submission of the documents shall be completed in one week time and draft proceedings need to be submitted for comments no later than 15 May 2015.
Job Requirement
Qualification for this Assignment
The candidate should have Public health or related expertise with good knowledge/experience of workshop proceeding writing
Excellent skill in writing and communicating in English
Candidate should have good knowledge and understanding of issues surrounding public health
Candidate should be able to provide the full range of services described in the request for proposal documents
The consultant is required to provide copy of Professional TIN Certificate while submitting the proposal otherwise s/he will be subjected to 30% Withholding tax deduction.
Those who have Professional License certificate are also expected to produce receipts at the time of payment.
Deliverables/Tangible Outcomes
Maternal health guideline implementation research workshop proceedings both in hard and soft copy
Technical report
Submission of the proposal
All Proposals should have
A.Cover letter
B.Introduction
C.Detailed technical proposal
D.A timetable
E.Capability statement
F.Budget justification
G.References
H.Annexes(candidate profile, personnel CV and related documents)
Terms of Payment
PATH will pay the service provider as follows: 25% up on signing of contract and 75% after delivering the product.
Copyright and Ownership
Copy right of the proceedings will be vested in PATH/WHO that will hold full ownership of the proceedings.