Swiss TPH

A series of three articles with contributions from the Systems Support Unit (SySU) of the SCIH about developing health systems guidance have been published in PLoS Medicine (Public Library of Science). The articles address how research evidence should be translated into guidance to inform policies on health systems and improve the delivery of clinical and public health interventions. Particular attention is given to the issues raised during meetings of the Task Force on Developing Health Systems Guidance which was grounded following a request from the WHO for advice. The first article makes a case for developing guidance to inform decisions on health systems-level questions based on an analysis of strategic health sector documents. It also explores specific challenges in producing such guidance and identifies options for addressing these challenges. The second article explores the links between health systems guidance development and policy development at global and national levels, and examines the range of factors that can influence policy development. The third paper focuses on assessing how much confidence can be placed on health systems research evidence in both guidance and policy development processes. View articles: article 1, article 2, article 3. View: Handbook for Supporting the Development of Health Systems Guidance

eHealth in Proof and Practice: Opportunities and Challenges in International Health

Years ago the concept of ”eHealth” was discussed only in its general manifestations, but of course, things change. This year’s Swiss TPH Spring Symposium will review evidence and best practices of using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT’s) to enhance health services and population health over the past decade. We will explore experiences and technologies along three axes:  a) what works in practice - validation and evaluation of the use of ICT’s in international health; b) openSource for eHealth - the role of openSource applications and c) Mobile ICT solutions - challenges and opportunities of mobile technologies. The one day event will take place in Basel, Switzerland on May 8. Visit the Symposium website for more details and to register: www.swisstph.ch/events/spring-symposium-2012.html.

The field testing of the newly developed IMPACtt eLearning tool (Integrated Management of Pregnancy and Childbirth training tool) based on WHO training material for Essential Newborn Care at the Tanzanian Training Centre for International Health was a success. The wide range of old and new computers used, as well as the minimal computer skills among most of the test participants was anticipated from the beginning, and thanks to the thorough support provided by the SCIH, the Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development and the World Health Organization representatives and local facilitators, most of the participants learned to handle the tool within one to two days and worked the rest of the week almost independently. Although the coordination of the clinical practice sessions for 22 participants with the hospital and the lack of suitable patients posed some challenges to be considered when designing future teaching arrangements, the model proved to be a good one. The field test showed, without a doubt, the necessity of embedding this type of interactive hands-on eLearning, as opposed to paper-based class room learning, into training curricula for health professionals.