Crossing borders: the PACK experience of spreading a complex health system intervention across low-income and middle-income countries

Learning health systems on the front lines to strengthen care against future pandemics and climate change: a rapid review

BACKGROUND

An essential component of future-proofing health systems against future pandemics and climate change is strengthening the front lines of care: principally, emergency departments and primary care settings. To achieve this, these settings can adopt learning health system (LHS) principles, integrating data, evidence, and experience to continuously improve care delivery. This rapid review aimed to understand the ways in which LHS principles have been applied to primary care and emergency departments, the extent to which LHS approaches have been adopted in these key settings, and the factors that affect their adoption.

METHODS

Three academic databases (Embase, Scopus, and PubMed) were searched for full text articles reporting on LHSs in primary care and/or emergency departments published in the last five years. Articles were included if they had a primary focus on LHSs in primary care settings (general practice, allied health, multidisciplinary primary care, and community-based care) and/or emergency care settings. Data from included articles were catalogued and synthesised according to the modified Institute of Medicine's five-component framework for LHSs (science and informatics, patient-clinician partnerships, incentives, continuous learning culture, and structure and governance).

RESULTS

Thirty-seven articles were included, 32 of which reported LHSs in primary care settings and seven of which reported LHSs in emergency departments. Science and informatics was the most commonly reported LHS component, followed closely by continuous learning culture and structure and governance. Most articles (n = 30) reported on LHSs that had been adopted, and many of the included articles (n = 17) were descriptive reports of LHS approaches.

CONCLUSIONS

Developing LHSs at the front lines of care is essential for future-proofing against current and new threats to health system sustainability, such as pandemic- and climate change-induced events. Limited research has examined the application of LHS concepts to emergency care settings. Implementation science should be utilised to better understand the factors influencing adoption of LHS approaches on the front lines of care, so that all five LHS components can be progressed in these settings.

Practical Approach to Care Kit: inovação para a clínica do enfermeiro no manejo do HIV

Resumo Objetivo: analisar a utilização do Practical Approach to Care Kit como uma tecnologia adotada na prática clínica dos enfermeiros no manejo do HIV na Atenção Primária à Saúde. Método: pesquisa exploratória e descritiva, ancorada no referencial metodológico da Teoria Fundamentada nos Dados Construtivista. A definição dos participantes foi realizada por amostragem inicial, com 12 enfermeiros, e amostragem teórica, com cinco gestores, totalizando 17 participantes. Os dados foram coletados por entrevistas intensivas e análise documental, e foram analisados em duas etapas: 1) codificação inicial; e 2) codificação focalizada. Resultados: os profissionais identificaram o Practical Approach to Care Kit como uma inovação tecnológica que contribuiu para a ampliação da prática clínica e empoderamento do enfermeiro no manejo clínico da infecção por HIV. Também destacaram sua importância como ferramenta para orientação das diferentes responsabilidades e atribuições no compartilhamento do cuidado, contribuindo para a prestação de práticas baseadas em evidências. Conclusão: o Practical Approach to Care Kit é uma inovação tecnológica que transformou a prática clínica do enfermeiro no manejo do HIV, ampliando seu escopo de atividades na realização do diagnóstico, avaliação da condição de saúde e aconselhamento, avaliação da adesão ao tratamento, efeitos adversos e prescrição de exames, medicamentos e imunobiológicos.

Practical Approach to Care Kit: innovación para la clínica de enfermería en el manejo del VIH

Resumen Objetivo: analizar el uso del Practical Approach to Care Kit como tecnología adoptada en la práctica clínica de los enfermeros en el manejo del VIH en la Atención Primaria de la Salud. Método: investigación exploratoria y descriptiva, basada en el marco metodológico de la Teoría Fundamentada en los Datos Constructivistas. La definición de los participantes fue realizada por muestreo inicial, con 12 enfermeros, y muestreo teórico, con cinco gestores, fueron 17 participantes en total. Los datos fueron recolectados a través de entrevistas intensivas y análisis de documentos, y fueron analizados en dos etapas: 1) codificación inicial; y 2) codificación enfocada. Resultados: los profesionales identificaron el Practical Approach to Care Kit como una innovación tecnológica que contribuyó a la expansión de la práctica clínica y al empoderamiento de los enfermeros en el manejo clínico de la infección por VIH. También destacaron su importancia como herramienta para orientar las diferentes responsabilidades y obligaciones en la distribución de la atención de los pacientes, contribuyendo a la prestación de prácticas basadas en evidencia. Conclusión: el Practical Approach to Care Kit es una innovación tecnológica que ha transformado la práctica clínica de los enfermeros en el manejo del VIH, ampliando su radio de acción para la realización del diagnóstico, evaluación del estado de salud y asesoramiento, evaluación de la adherencia al tratamiento, efectos adversos y prescripción de exámenes, medicamentos e inmunobiológicos.

Practical Approach to Care Kit: Innovation for nurses' clinical practice in HIV management

OBJECTIVE

to analyze the use of the Practical Approach to Care Kit as a technology adopted in nurses' clinical practice for HIV management in Primary Health Care.

METHOD

an exploratory and descriptive research study anchored in the methodological framework of the Constructivist Grounded Theory. The participants were defined through initial sampling, with 12 nurses, and theoretical sampling, with five managers, totaling 17 participants. The data were collected by means of intensive interviews and documentary analysis, and they were analyzed in two stages: 1) Initial coding; and 2) Focused coding.

RESULTS

the professionals identified the Practical Approach to Care Kit as a technological innovation that contributed to expanding the clinical practice and to empowering nurses in the clinical management of HIV infection. They also highlighted its importance as a tool for guiding the different responsibilities and duties while sharing care, contributing to the provision of evidence-based practices.

CONCLUSION

The Practical Approach to Care Kit is a technological innovation that has transformed nurses' clinical practice in HIV management, expanding their scope of activities in carrying out the diagnosis, assessing the health condition and counseling, evaluating adherence to the treatment, adverse effects and prescription of exams, medications, and immunobiological.

Asthma management in low and middle income countries: case for change

Asthma is the most common noncommunicable disease in children, and among the most common in adults. The great majority of people with asthma live in low and middle income countries (LMICs), which have disproportionately high asthma-related morbidity and mortality. Essential inhaled medications, particularly those containing inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), are often unavailable or unaffordable, and this explains much of the global burden of preventable asthma morbidity and mortality. Guidelines developed for LMICs are generally based on the outdated assumption that patients with asthma symptoms <1-3 times per week do not need (or benefit from) ICS. Even when ICS are prescribed, many patients manage their asthma with oral or inhaled short-acting β2-agonists (SABA) alone, owing to issues of availability and affordability. A single ICS-formoterol inhaler-based approach to asthma management for all severities of asthma, from mild to severe, starting at diagnosis, might overcome SABA overuse/over-reliance and reduce the burden of symptoms and severe exacerbations. However, ICS-formoterol inhalers are currently very poorly available or unaffordable in LMICs. There is a pressing need for pragmatic clinical trial evidence of the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of this and other strategies to improve asthma care in these countries. The global health inequality in asthma care that deprives so many children, adolescents and adults of healthy lives and puts them at increased risk of death, despite the availability of highly effective therapeutic approaches, is unacceptable. A World Health Assembly Resolution on universal access to affordable and effective asthma care is needed to focus attention and investment on addressing this need.

Revamping of Chronic Respiratory Diseases in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) endure an asymmetrically high burden of worldwide disease and death caused by chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs), i.e., asthma, emphysema, bronchiectasis, and post-tuberculosis lung disease (PTLD). CRDs are firmly related with indigence, infectious diseases, and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and add to complex multi-disease with great impact on the lives and livelihood of those affected. The pertinence of CRDs to health and demographic wellbeing is relied upon to increment in the long time ahead, as expectations of life rise and the contending dangers of right on time youth mortality and irresistible infections level. The WHO has distinguished the counteraction and control of NCDs as an earnest improvement issue and crucial for the sustainable development goals (SDSs) by 2030. In this review, we center on CRDs in LMICs. We examine the early life roots of CRDs, challenges in their avoidance, identification and administration in LMICs, and the pathways to resolve for accomplish valid widespread wellbeing inclusion.

Understanding the interaction between cytomegalovirus and tuberculosis in children: The way forward

Over 1 million children develop tuberculosis (TB) each year, with a quarter dying. Multiple factors impact the risk of a child being exposed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the risk of progressing to TB disease, and the risk of dying. However, an emerging body of evidence suggests that coinfection with cytomegalovirus (CMV), a ubiquitous herpes virus, impacts the host response to Mtb, potentially influencing the probability of disease progression, type of TB disease, performance of TB diagnostics, and disease outcome. It is also likely that infection with Mtb impacts CMV pathogenesis. Our current understanding of the burden of these 2 diseases in children, their immunological interactions, and the clinical consequence of coinfection is incomplete. It is also unclear how potential interventions might affect disease progression and outcome for TB or CMV. This article reviews the epidemiological, clinical, and immunological literature on CMV and TB in children and explores how the 2 pathogens interact, while also considering the impact of HIV on this relationship. It outlines areas of research uncertainty and makes practical suggestions as to potential studies that might address these gaps. Current research is hampered by inconsistent definitions, study designs, and laboratory practices, and more consistency and collaboration between researchers would lead to greater clarity. The ambitious targets outlined in the World Health Organization End TB Strategy will only be met through a better understanding of all aspects of child TB, including the substantial impact of coinfections.

Improving lung health in low-income and middle-income countries: from challenges to solutions

Low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) bear a disproportionately high burden of the global morbidity and mortality caused by chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs), including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis, and post-tuberculosis lung disease. CRDs are strongly associated with poverty, infectious diseases, and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and contribute to complex multi-morbidity, with major consequences for the lives and livelihoods of those affected. The relevance of CRDs to health and socioeconomic wellbeing is expected to increase in the decades ahead, as life expectancies rise and the competing risks of early childhood mortality and infectious diseases plateau. As such, the World Health Organization has identified the prevention and control of NCDs as an urgent development issue and essential to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. In this Review, we focus on CRDs in LMICs. We discuss the early life origins of CRDs; challenges in their prevention, diagnosis, and management in LMICs; and pathways to solutions to achieve true universal health coverage.

Review of published evidence on knowledge translation capacity, practice and support among researchers and research institutions in low- and middle-income countries

BACKGROUND

Knowledge translation (KT) is a dynamic and iterative process that includes synthesis, dissemination, exchange and ethically sound application of knowledge to yield beneficial outcomes for society. Effective KT requires researchers to play an active role in promoting evidence uptake. This paper presents a systematised review of evidence on low- and middle-income country (LMIC) researchers' KT capacity, practice and interventions for enhancing their KT practice (support) with the aim of identifying gaps and informing future research and interventions.

METHODS

An electronic search for peer-reviewed publications focusing on LMIC researchers' KT capacity, practice and support across all academic fields, authored in English and from the earliest records available to February 2019, was conducted using PubMed and Scopus. Selected studies were appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool, data pertaining to publication characteristics and study design extracted, and an a priori thematic analysis of reported research findings completed.

RESULTS

The search resulted in 334 screened articles, of which 66 met the inclusion criteria. Most (n = 43) of the articles presented original research findings, 22 were commentaries and 1 was a structured review; 47 articles reported on researchers' KT practice, 12 assessed the KT capacity of researchers or academic/research institutions and 9 reported on KT support for researchers. More than half (59%) of the articles focused on sub-Saharan Africa and the majority (91%) on health research. Most of the primary studies used the case study design (41%). The findings suggest that LMIC researchers rarely conduct KT and face a range of barriers at individual and institutional levels that limit their KT practice, including inadequate KT knowledge and skills, particularly for communicating research and interacting with research end-users, insufficient funding, and inadequate institutional guidelines, structures and incentives promoting KT practice. Furthermore, the evidence-base on effective interventions for enhancing LMIC researchers' KT practice is insufficient and largely of weak quality.

CONCLUSIONS

More high-quality research on researchers' KT capacity, practice and effective KT capacity strengthening interventions is needed. Study designs that extend beyond case studies and descriptive studies are recommended, including better designed evaluation studies, e.g. use of realist approaches, pragmatic trials, impact evaluations, implementation research and participatory action research.

Effects of PACK guide training on the management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by primary care clinicians: a pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial in Florianópolis, Brazil

Introduction

The Practical Approach to Care Kit (PACK) guide was localised for Brazil, where primary care doctors and nurses were trained to use it.

Methods

Twenty-four municipal clinics in Florianópolis were randomly allocated to receive outreach training and the guide, and 24 were allocated to receive only the guide. 6666 adult patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were enrolled, and trial outcomes were measured over 12 months, using electronic medical records. The primary outcomes were composite scores of treatment changes and spirometry, and new asthma and COPD diagnosis rates.

Results

Asthma scores in 2437 intervention group participants were higher (74.8%, 20.4% and 4.8% with scores of 0, 1 and 2, respectively) than in 2633 control group participants (80.0%, 16.8% and 3.2%) (OR for higher score 1.32, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.61, p=0.006). Adjusted for asthma scores recorded in each clinic before training started, the OR was 1.24 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.50, p=0.022). COPD scores in 1371 intervention group participants (77.7%, 17.9% and 4.3% with scores of 0, 1 and 2) did not differ from those in 1181 control group participants (80.5%, 15.8% and 3.7%) (OR 1.21, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.55, p=0.142). Rates of new asthma and COPD diagnoses, and hospital admission, and indicators of investigation, diagnosis and treatment of comorbid cardiovascular disease, diabetes and depression, and tobacco cessation did not differ between trial arms.

Conclusion

PACK training increased guideline-based treatment and spirometry for asthma but did not affect COPD or comorbid conditions, or diagnosis rates.

Trial registration

NCT02786030 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/).

Portuguese (Brazil) Introdução

O guia de Abordagem Prática do Kit de Cuidados em Saúde (PACK) foi adaptado para o sistema de saúde do Brasil; médicos e enfermeiros da atenção primária foram treinados para usá-lo na pratica clínica.

Métodos

Vinte e quatro unidades básicas de saúde (UBS) municipais de Florianópolis foram alocadas aleatoriamente para receber treinamento nas UBS utilizando o guia, e 24 foram alocadas para receber apenas o guia. Foram analisados dados de 6.666 pacientes adultos com asma ou doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC) e os desfechos foram medidos por doze meses, através de registros médicos eletrônicos. Os resultados principais foram escores compostos de mudança no tratamento, realização de espirometria e taxas de novos diagnósticos de asma e DPOC.

Resultados

os escores de asma em 2437 participantes do grupo de intervenção foram maiores (74,8%, 20,4% e 4,8% com escores de 0, 1 e 2 respectivamente) do que em 2633 participantes do grupo controle (80,0%, 16,8% e 3,2%) (odds ratio (OR) para pontuação mais alta 1,32, intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC) 1,08-1,61, p = 0,006). Ajustado para os escores de asma registrados em cada clínica antes do início do treinamento, o OR foi de 1,24 (IC 95% 1,03-1,50, p = 0,022). Os escores da DPOC em 1371 participantes do grupo de intervenção (77,7%, 17,9% e 4,3% com escores de 0, 1 e 2) não diferiram dos de 1181 participantes do grupo controle (80,5%, 15,8% e 3,7%) (OR 1,21 (IC95% 0,94-1,55, p = 0,142) As taxas de novos diagnósticos de asma e DPOC, internação hospitalar e indicadores de diagnóstico e tratamento de co-morbidades cardiovasculares, diabete, depressão e cessação do tabagismo não diferiram entre os grupos experimentais.

Conclusão

O treinamento com PACK aumentou o tratamento baseado em diretrizes e espirometria para asma, mas não afetou as co-morbidades em DPOC ou as taxas de diagnóstico.

e-PC101: an electronic clinical decision support tool developed in South Africa for primary care in low-income and middle-income countries

Health technology is increasingly recognised as a feasible method of addressing health needs in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Primary Care 101, now known as PACK (Practical Approach to Care Kit), is a printed, algorithmic, checklist-based, comprehensive clinical decision support tool. It assists clinicians with delivering evidence-based medicine for common primary care presentations and conditions. These assessment and treatment guides have been adopted widely in primary care clinics across South Africa. This paper focuses on the process of designing, developing, and implementing a digital version of the clinical decision support tool for use on a tablet computer. Lessons learnt throughout its development and pilot implementation could apply to the creation of electronic health interventions and the digitisation of clinical tools in LMICs.

Using a mentorship model to localise the Practical Approach to Care Kit (PACK): from South Africa to Ethiopia

The Federal Ministry of Health, Ethiopia, recognised the potential of the Practical Approach to Care Kit (PACK) programme to promote integrated, comprehensive and evidence-informed primary care as a means to achieving universal health coverage. Localisation of the PACK guide to become the 'Ethiopian Primary Health Care Clinical Guidelines' (PHCG) was spearheaded by a core team of Ethiopian policy and technical experts, mentored by the Knowledge Translation Unit, University of Cape Town. A research collaboration, ASSET (heAlth Systems StrEngThening in sub-Saharan Africa), has brought together policy-makers from the Ministry of Health and health systems researchers from Ethiopia (Addis Ababa University) and overseas partners for the PACK localisation process, and will develop, implement and evaluate health systems strengthening interventions needed for a successful scale-up of the Ethiopian PHCG. Localisation of PACK for Ethiopia included expanding the guide to include a wider range of infectious diseases and an expanded age range (from 5 to 15 years). Early feedback from front-line primary healthcare (PHC) workers is positive: the guide gives them greater confidence and is easy to understand and use. A training cascade has been initiated, with a view to implementing in 400 PHC facilities in phase 1, followed by scale-up to all 3724 health centres in Ethiopia during 2019. Monitoring and evaluation of the Ministry of Health implementation at scale will be complemented by indepth evaluation by ASSET in demonstration districts. Anticipated challenges include availability of essential medications and laboratory investigations and the need for additional training and supervisory support to deliver care for non-communicable diseases and mental health. The strong leadership from the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia combined with a productive collaboration with health systems research partners can help to ensure that Ethiopian PHCG achieves standardisation of clinical practice at the primary care level and quality healthcare for all.

The Practical Approach to Care Kit (PACK) training programme: scaling up and sustaining support for health workers to improve primary care

There is an urgent need to depart from in-service training that relies on distance and/or intensive off-site training leading to limited staff coverage at clinical sites. This traditional approach fails to meet the challenge of improving clinical practice, especially in low-income and middle-income countries where resources are limited and disease burden high. South Africa's University of Cape Town Lung Institute Knowledge Translation Unit has developed a facility-based training strategy for implementation of its Practical Approach to Care Kit (PACK) primary care programme. The training has been taken to scale in primary care facilities throughout South Africa and has shown improvements in quality of care indicators and health outcomes along with end-user satisfaction. PACK training uses a unique approach to address the needs of frontline health workers and the health system by embedding a health intervention into everyday clinical practice at facility level. This paper describes the features of the PACK training strategy: PACK training is scaled up using a cascade model of training using educational outreach to deliver PACK to clinical teams in their health facilities in short, regular sessions. Drawing on adult education principles, PACK training empowers clinicians by using experiential and interactive learning methodologies to draw on existing clinical knowledge and experience. Learning is alternated with practice to improve the likelihood of embedding the programme into everyday clinical care delivery.

Using a mentorship model to localise the Practical Approach to Care Kit (PACK): from South Africa to Brazil

Brazil's Sistema Único de Saúde, or Unified Health System policy, has delivered major improvements in health coverage and outcomes, but challenges remain, including the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and variations in quality of care across the country. Some of these challenges may be met through the adaptation and implementation of a South African primary care strategy, the Practical Approach to Care Kit (PACK). Developed by the University of Cape Town's Knowledge Translation Unit (KTU), PACK is intended for in-country adaptation by employing a mentorship model. Using this approach, the PACK Adult guide and training materials were localised for use in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil, as part of an initiative to reform primary care, expand care for NCDs and make services more accessible and equitable. The value of the collaboration between the KTU and Florianópolis municipality is the transfer of skills and avoidance of duplication of effort involved in de-novo guide development, while ensuring that materials are locally acceptable and applicable. The collaboration has informed the development of the KTU's PACK mentorship package and led to a relationship between the groups of developers, ensuring ongoing learning and research, with the potential of assisting the further scale-up of PACK in Brazil.

Using a mentorship model to localise the Practical Approach to Care Kit (PACK): from South Africa to Nigeria

Nigeria, in its quest to strengthen its primary healthcare system, is faced with a number of challenges including a shortage of clinicians and skills. Methods are being sought to better equip primary healthcare clinicians for the clinical demands that they face. Using a mentorship model between developers in South Africa and Nigerian clinicians, the Practical Approach to Care Kit (PACK) for adult patients, a health systems strengthening programme, has been localised and piloted in 51 primary healthcare facilities in three Nigerian states. Lessons learnt from this experience include the value of this remote model of localisation for rapid localisation, the importance of early, continuous stakeholder engagement, the need expressed by Nigeria's primary healthcare clinicians for clinical guidance that is user friendly and up-to-date, a preference for the tablet version of the PACK Adult guide over hard copies and the added value of WhatsApp groups to complement the programme of face-to-face continuous learning. Introduction of the PACK programme in Nigeria prompted uptake of evidence-informed recommendations within primary healthcare services.

The Practical Approach to Care Kit (PACK) guide: developing a clinical decision support tool to simplify, standardise and strengthen primary healthcare delivery

For the primary health worker in a low/middle-income country (LMIC) setting, delivering quality primary care is challenging. This is often complicated by clinical guidance that is out of date, inconsistent and informed by evidence from high-income countries that ignores LMIC resource constraints and burden of disease. The Knowledge Translation Unit (KTU) of the University of Cape Town Lung Institute has developed, implemented and evaluated a health systems intervention in South Africa, and localised it to Botswana, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Brazil, that simplifies and standardises the care delivered by primary health workers while strengthening the system in which they work. At the core of this intervention, called Practical Approach to Care Kit (PACK), is a clinical decision support tool, the PACK guide. This paper describes the development of the guide over an 18-year period and explains the design features that have addressed what the patient, the clinician and the health system need from clinical guidance, and have made it, in the words of a South African primary care nurse, 'A tool for every day for every patient'. It describes the lessons learnt during the development process that the KTU now applies to further development, maintenance and in-country localisation of the guide: develop clinical decision support in context first, involve local stakeholders in all stages, leverage others' evidence databases to remain up to date and ensure content development, updating and localisation articulate with implementation.