Constantine Akwanalo1, Benson Njuguna2, Tim Mercer3, Sonak D Pastakia4, Ann Mwangi5, Jonathan Dick6, Julia Dickhaus7, Josephine Andesia8, Gerald S Bloomfield9, Thomas Valente10, Joseph Kibachio11, Max Pillsbury12, Shravani Pathak13, Aarti Thakkar9, Rajesh Vedanthan7, Jemima Kamano14, Violet Naanyu5. 1. College of Health Sciences, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya; Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Eldoret, Kenya. Electronic address: cakwanalo@gmail.com. 2. Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Eldoret, Kenya. 3. Department of Population Health, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, USA. 4. College of Health Sciences, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya; College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA. 5. College of Health Sciences, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya. 6. Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA. 7. Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA. 8. Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare. 9. Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA. 10. University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA. 11. Division of Non-Communicable Diseases, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya. 12. School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA. 13. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA. 14. College of Health Sciences, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya; Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Eldoret, Kenya.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Ineffective referral networks in low- and middle-income countries hinders access to evidence-based therapies by hypertensive patients, leading to high cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. The STRENGTHS (Strengthening Referral Networks for Management of Hypertension Across Health Systems) study evaluates strategies to improve referral processes utilizing the International Association of Public Participation framework to engage stakeholders. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to identify and engage key stakeholders involved in referral of patients in the Ministry of Health, western Kenya. METHODS: Key stakeholders involved in policy formulation, provision, or consumption of public health care service were mapped out and contacted by phone, letters, and emissaries to schedule meetings, explain research objectives, and obtain feedback. RESULTS: Key stakeholders identified were the Ministry of Health, the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare, health professionals, communities and their leadership, and patients. Engaging them resulted in permission to contact research in their areas of jurisdiction and enabled collaboration in updating care protocols with emphasis on timely and appropriate referrals. CONCLUSIONS: Early stakeholder identification and engagement using the International Association of Public Participation model eased explanation of research objectives, building consensus, and shaping the interventions to improve the referral process.
BACKGROUND: Ineffective referral networks in low- and middle-income countries hinders access to evidence-based therapies by hypertensivepatients, leading to high cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. The STRENGTHS (Strengthening Referral Networks for Management of Hypertension Across Health Systems) study evaluates strategies to improve referral processes utilizing the International Association of Public Participation framework to engage stakeholders. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to identify and engage key stakeholders involved in referral of patients in the Ministry of Health, western Kenya. METHODS: Key stakeholders involved in policy formulation, provision, or consumption of public health care service were mapped out and contacted by phone, letters, and emissaries to schedule meetings, explain research objectives, and obtain feedback. RESULTS: Key stakeholders identified were the Ministry of Health, the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare, health professionals, communities and their leadership, and patients. Engaging them resulted in permission to contact research in their areas of jurisdiction and enabled collaboration in updating care protocols with emphasis on timely and appropriate referrals. CONCLUSIONS: Early stakeholder identification and engagement using the International Association of Public Participation model eased explanation of research objectives, building consensus, and shaping the interventions to improve the referral process.
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