Research
Why do we do our research? (Aim)
We design health system interventions that are tailored to address the specific needs of patients, communities and health care service providers.
We then evaluate how effective, acceptable and cost effective these interventions are in real-world settings, and how they should be refined for wider reach.
- Effectiveness trials
- Real-world results and applicability
- Robust research
How do we do our research? (Methods)
We use mixed-methods design to research alongside pragmatic trials.
- First, we conduct formative work, i.e. stakeholder interviews, understanding patient pathways and engaging the community in the intervention design;
- Then we co-develop the interventions with government learning collaboratives and key stakeholder groups;
- We collaborate with other researchers and organisations/institutions;
- We implement the intervention within the health system using existing resources;
- Finally, we evaluate the barriers and enablers to implementation and its impact.
See our Publications for details on each of our research projects.
5 pragmatic trials
(completed in real world settings)
Mixed methods design
Quantitative
Qualitative
Economic
Does our research benefit the real world? (Findings/outcomes)
Yes. Our research outcomes have contributed to the uptake of our programmes at a provincial and national level within South Africa, and elsewhere.
We have conducted 5 RCT trials which have demonstrated modest, but consistent, reproducible and positive effects on the quality of care provided by the health clinics and patient health outcomes.
Read more about our research
Quantitative findings
- Increase in HIV and TB case detection
- Appropriate referral of severe and complex patients
- Reduced mortality among some patient subgroups
- Improved prescribing of inhaled corticosteroids, cotrimoxazole prophylaxis, aspirin and second-line ART
- Fewer inpatient days and increased primary care visits
Qualitative findings
Patients, communities value the quality of care received. Nurses, doctors and managers working in resource-constrained primary care settings highly value the combination of simplified guidelines, and on-site interactive and online training
Economic findings
- Increased use of primary care services associated with increased costs
- Costs partially offset by reductions in the number and length of hospital admissions
What research are we busy doing now?
ENHANCE study: EvideNce led co-created HeAlth systems interventioNs for MLTC-M CarE
2021 – 2025
Using provincial health data and private health scheme data to inform the commonest patterns of multiple chronic conditions (MLTCs), and by working closely with people living with MLTCs, nurses and doctors the study aims to develop a health systems intervention to strengthen care for MLTCs. This intervention is currently being tested in 32 clinics in the KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa.
Strengthening the quality of adolescent primary healthcare in South Africa: preliminary work on a complex public health intervention
2021 – 2025
The study aims to understand the status of adolescent primary health care services across clinics and schools in the Western Cape, South Africa. These findings will then be used to refine and adapt PACK Youth health systems intervention to strengthen the quality of and access to adolescent health care. The intervention will be piloted in 6 clinics and 12 schools.
Open in Google Maps
