Do global health networks facilitate innovation, learning and sharing? A qualitative analysis of the Quality-of-Care Network in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Malawi, and Uganda
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 19591531 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Kondwani Mwandira (0000-0001-8362-7156, Research for Equity And Community Health Trust, corresponding author), Seblewengel Lemma (0000-0001-5910-3723, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, corresponding author), Albert Dube (0000-0002-6392-0475, Research for Equity And Community Health Trust, corresponding author), Kohenour Akter (0000-0002-0409-1099, corresponding author), Asebe Amenu Tufa (0000-0001-9541-4393, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, corresponding author), Agnes Kyamulabi (0000-0002-5865-3798, Makerere University, corresponding author), Gloria Seruwagi (0000-0002-7280-6164, Makerere University, corresponding author), Catherine Nakidde (0000-0001-8965-3582, Makerere University, corresponding author), Kasonde Mwaba (0000-0001-9972-8664, University College London, corresponding author), Nehla Djellouli (0000-0003-4200-2314, University College London, corresponding author), Charles Makwenda (Research for Equity And Community Health Trust, corresponding author), Trevor Colbourn (0000-0002-6917-6552, University College London, corresponding author), Yusra Ribhi Shawar (0000-0002-9539-0341, Johns Hopkins University, corresponding author) |
| Editors | Hannah Hogan Leslie |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 5 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | e0002720 |
| Publication date | 2025-01-29 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | PLOS Global Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2767-3375 • E-ISSN: 2767-3375 |
| Publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002720 |
| PMID | 39879249 |
| OpenAlex | W4406955622 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 16 |
The Quality-of-Care Network (QCN), launched by WHO and partners, links global and national actors across several countries to improve maternal and newborn health. We conducted a prospective qualitative study to examine how QCN in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Malawi and Uganda facilitated learning, sharing, and innovation within and between network countries. We conducted 227 key informant interviews with QCN actors at global, national, and facility levels iteratively in two to four rounds from June 2019 to March 2022. We also reviewed all accessible QCN documents. Drawing on knowledge sharing theory, we thematically analysed the qualitative data according to three themes: sharing, learning, and innovations. Sharing and learning were evident through virtual and in-person platforms including conferences and webinars, held on online resource libraries such as the QCN website. This provides access to strategies and approaches shared by countries and actors. Locally, there was a strengthening of learning collaborative meetings, coaching, and mentorship. Regular meetings, such as stakeholder coordination meetings and learning collaborative sessions, provided opportunity for stakeholders to strategize, share and learn maternal and child health approaches. The network also promoted coordination among stakeholders. Common sharing and learning approaches, such as learning collaborative sessions, were evident across QCN countries. However, innovation was not as apparent across countries. While there were some exceptions, such as the development and adoption of innovative software applications aimed at boosting the capacity of service providers in network countries, these were limited. Most innovation approaches were similar to pre-existing maternal health approaches, adopted from an era preceding the QCN. Nevertheless, there was evidence that QCN improved their functionality. We provide evidence of how learning, sharing, and innovation among and within countries can be fostered for improving maternal and child health; and limitations. This understanding may help country efforts to achieve targets for ending preventable maternal and neonatal deaths
Business · Coaching · Economic growth · Economics · Health care · Knowledge management · Knowledge sharing · Management · Medical education · Mentorship · Political science · Public relations · Qualitative research · Sociology · Stakeholder · Computer Science · Global Maternal and Child Health · Medicine · Mobile Health and mHealth Applications · Neonatal Respiratory Health Research
National, regional, and global levels and trends in neonatal mortality between 1990 and 2017, with scenario-based projections to 2030
Influences on policy-formulation, decision-making, organisation and management for maternal, newborn and child health in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Malawi and Uganda
Individual, organizational and system circumstances, and the functioning of a multi-country implementation-focused network for maternal, newborn and child health
Reducing maternal and neonatal mortality through integrated and sustainability-focused programming in Zambia
Individual interactions in a multi-country implementation-focused quality of care network for maternal, newborn and child health
Effectiveness of a multi-country implementation-focused network on quality of care
Factors shaping network emergence
Opportunities to sustain a multi-country quality of care network
Evaluating theory of change to improve the functioning of the network for improving quality of care for maternal, newborn and child health
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |