Book chapter
How can routine health information systems improve health systems functioning in low- and middle-income countries?: Assessing the evidence base
Advances in health care management, Vol.12, pp.25-58
Advances in Health Care Management, 12, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
01/01/2012
PMID: 22894044
Web of Science ID: WOS:000319731500003
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Abstract
Health system performance depends on production and use of quality health data and information. Routine health information systems (RHIS) are defined as systems that provide information at regular intervals of a year or less to meet predictable information needs. These include paper-based or electronic health records and facility- and district-level management information systems. RHIS are receiving increasing attention as an essential component of efficient, country-owned, integrated national systems. To guide investment decisions on RHIS, evidence is needed on which types of RHIS interventions work and which do not.
This chapter is a systematic review of the literature on the evaluation of RHIS interventions in low- and middle-income countries, starting from the premise that investments in RHIS could be better understood and so produce greater benefits than they currently do.
We describe the conceptual literature on the determinants of RHIS performance and its role in improving health systems functioning, discuss the evidence base on the effectiveness of strategies to improve RHIS performance, provide an overview of RHIS evaluation challenges, and make suggestions to improve the evidence base.
The goal is to help ensure that (a) RHIS interventions are appropriately designed and implemented to improve health systems functioning and (b) resulting RHIS information is used more effectively.
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Details
- Title
- How can routine health information systems improve health systems functioning in low- and middle-income countries?
- Publication Details
- Advances in health care management, Vol.12, pp.25-58
- Resource Type
- Book chapter
- Publisher
- Emerald Group Publishing Limited
- Series
- Advances in Health Care Management; 12
- Copyright
- © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
- Identifiers
- WOS:000319731500003; 99380576729106600
- Academic Unit
- Health Sciences and Administration; Usha Kundu, MD College of Health
- Language
- English