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A framework for comparative analysis of health systems: experiences from the Asia Pacific Observatory on Health Systems and Policies.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Healy, JM; Tang, S; Patcharanarumol, W; Annear, PL
Published in: WHO South East Asia J Public Health
April 2018

Drawing on published work from the Asia Pacific Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, this paper presents a framework for undertaking comparative studies on the health systems of countries. Organized under seven types of research approaches, such as national case-studies using a common format, this framework is illustrated using studies of low- and middle-income countries published by the Asia Pacific Observatory. Such studies are important contributions, since much of the health systems research literature comes from high-income countries. No one research approach, however, can adequately analyse a health system, let alone produce a nuanced comparison of different countries. Multiple comparative studies offer a better understanding, as a health system is a complex entity to describe and analyse. Appreciation of context and culture is crucial: what works in one country may not do so in another. Further, a single research method, such as performance indicators, or a study of a particular health system function or component, produces only a partial picture. Applying a comparative framework of several study approaches helps to inform and explain progress against health system targets, to identify differences among countries, and to assess policies and programmes. Multi-method comparative research produces policy-relevant learning that can assist countries to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3: ensure healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages by 2030.

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Published In

WHO South East Asia J Public Health

DOI

EISSN

2304-5272

Publication Date

April 2018

Volume

7

Issue

1

Start / End Page

5 / 12

Location

India

Related Subject Headings

  • Pacific Islands
  • Humans
  • Health Services Research
  • Health Policy
  • Delivery of Health Care
  • Asia
 

Citation

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Healy, J. M., Tang, S., Patcharanarumol, W., & Annear, P. L. (2018). A framework for comparative analysis of health systems: experiences from the Asia Pacific Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. WHO South East Asia J Public Health, 7(1), 5–12. https://doi.org/10.4103/2224-3151.228421
Healy, Judith Mary, Shenglan Tang, Walaiporn Patcharanarumol, and Peter Leslie Annear. “A framework for comparative analysis of health systems: experiences from the Asia Pacific Observatory on Health Systems and Policies.WHO South East Asia J Public Health 7, no. 1 (April 2018): 5–12. https://doi.org/10.4103/2224-3151.228421.
Healy JM, Tang S, Patcharanarumol W, Annear PL. A framework for comparative analysis of health systems: experiences from the Asia Pacific Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. WHO South East Asia J Public Health. 2018 Apr;7(1):5–12.
Healy, Judith Mary, et al. “A framework for comparative analysis of health systems: experiences from the Asia Pacific Observatory on Health Systems and Policies.WHO South East Asia J Public Health, vol. 7, no. 1, Apr. 2018, pp. 5–12. Pubmed, doi:10.4103/2224-3151.228421.
Healy JM, Tang S, Patcharanarumol W, Annear PL. A framework for comparative analysis of health systems: experiences from the Asia Pacific Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. WHO South East Asia J Public Health. 2018 Apr;7(1):5–12.

Published In

WHO South East Asia J Public Health

DOI

EISSN

2304-5272

Publication Date

April 2018

Volume

7

Issue

1

Start / End Page

5 / 12

Location

India

Related Subject Headings

  • Pacific Islands
  • Humans
  • Health Services Research
  • Health Policy
  • Delivery of Health Care
  • Asia