Health Systems Evaluation and Research

Module Overview:

The module on Health Systems Evaluation and Research (HSER) focuses on health information systems, one of the six building blocks of a health system, as well as an introduction to evaluating the performance of a health system and health systems research.

The overall goals of the module are to: 
1. Enhance understanding of a health information system (HIS) and how a HIS relates to broader health system strengthening.
2. Improve skills in evaluation and participants’ ability to apply the concepts and principles when evaluating: projects and programmes in the health sector, health systems performance or health system sub-components at a district, provincial or national level.
3. An introduction to health systems research and its potential contribution to improved population health and health systems performance.

Module Objectives:

At the end of the Module, the participants should be able to:

1. Define a health information system (HIS) and the prerequisites for a well-functioning HIS.
2. Discuss the dimensions of HIS demand, supply and the level of the health system at which data are generated and used.
3. Discuss how an HIS relates to broader health system strengthening.
4. Interrogate and critique commonly used indicators to measure health status or health systems performance.
5. Understand and critique the World Health Organization Framework on measuring the performance of a health system.
6. Discuss advantages and drawbacks of the different evaluation approaches and methods and how to decide which methods would be preferable in a given situation.
7. Have a clear understanding of ethical and accountability issues when conducting an evaluation.
8. Conduct a very rapid evaluation, based on a client’s brief, in the health sector.
9. Explain health systems research and its contribution to improving population health and health systems performance.
10. Plan and conduct a rapid evaluation in the participant’s own area of work.

The module coordinator is Prof. Laetitia Rispel: Tel +27 11 717 2543; Email: Laetitia.rispel@wits.ac.za