A framework for identifying and learning from countries that demonstrated exemplary performance in improving health outcomes and systems

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Austin Carter, University of Washington; Nadia Akseer, Hospital for Sick Children; Kevin Ho, Gates Ventures; Oliver Rothschild, Gates Ventures; Niranjan Bose, Gates Ventures; Agnes Binagwaho, University of Global Health Equity; Lisa R. Hirschhorn, Northwestern University; Matthew Price, Last Mile Health; Kyle Muther, Last Mile Health; Raj Panjabi, Last Mile Health; Matthew Freeman, Emory University; Robert Bednarczyk, Emory University; Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta, Hospital for Sick Children
• Language: English
• Date: 2020-01-01
• Publisher: BMJ PUBLISHING GROUP
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2020-002938
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: BMJ GLOBAL HEALTH
• Volume: 5
• Issue: 12
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was funded by Gates Ventures, LLC, Kirkland, WA, USA.
• Keywords: PRIORITIES; Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; other study design; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; health systems evaluation; COUNTDOWN; CRITERIA; PROGRESS; CHILD HEALTH; DRIVERS; MORTALITY; qualitative study; Science & Technology; SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT; public health; NEWBORN; STUNTING REDUCTION; epidemiology
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Public Health; Health Sciences, Epidemiology

Abstract

This paper introduces a framework for conducting and disseminating mixed methods research on positive outlier countries that successfully improved their health outcomes and systems. We provide guidance on identifying exemplar countries, assembling multidisciplinary teams, collecting and synthesising pre-existing evidence, undertaking qualitative and quantitative analyses, and preparing dissemination products for various target audiences. Through a range of ongoing research studies, we illustrate application of each step of the framework while highlighting key considerations and lessons learnt. We hope uptake of this comprehensive framework by diverse stakeholders will increase the availability and utilisation of rigorous and comparable insights from global health success stories.