Operational research in health-care settings

Abstract

Described as “the science of better,” it helps in identifying the alternative service delivery strategy which not only overcomes the problems that limit the program quality, efficiency, and effectiveness but also yields the best outcome. [6] A global meeting held in Geneva in April 2008 to develop the framework of OR, defined the scope of OR in context to public health as “Any research producing practically usable knowledge (evidence, finding, information, etc.) which can improve program implementation (e.g., effectiveness, efficiency, quality, access, scale up, sustainability) regardless of the type of research (design, methodology, approach), falls within the boundaries of OR.” According to Fisher et al., OR is a continuous process of problem identification, selection of a suitable strategy/intervention, experimentation of the selected strategy/intervention, dissemination of the findings, and utilization of the information so derived. In their path-breaking field trial, Bang et al. trained village level workers in neonatal care who subsequently made home visits at scheduled intervals and managed premature birth/low birthweight, birth asphyxia, hypothermia, neonatal sepsis, and breastfeeding problems.