O1 Qualitative research for large-scale sustainable impact on health in low-resource settings

Abstract

<h3>Background</h3> To improve health in low-resource settings, it is imperative to enhance (a) design of interventions, (b) piloting of interventions, and (c) analyse the processes through which interventions are implemented and how they are used and perceived by key stakeholders. Applied qualitative research is a potential approach. <h3>Objectives</h3> identify processes through which collaborations can be built in order to undertake focused studies in applied qualitative health research in low–resource settings; provide examples of how such collaborations have resulted in applied qualitative research that has impacted on policy and practice across a range of health issues and contexts. <h3>Methods</h3> Much research to improve health in low-resource settings includes embedded qualitative studies, which may be exploratory, to support the design of interventions, may form part of pilot studies, or may form part of process evaluations or other types of explanatory work. They are typically constrained by relatively short timeframes and tight budgets. We have developed a collaborative approach to high quality focused qualitative studies that involves a process of co-designing protocols and ethics applications; co-designing data collection tools; collecting, transcribing and analysing data in an iterative and collaborative manner, which enhances the quality of the data collected; and co-writing publications and policy briefs. We have identified processes that have provided both high quality research findings and findings of direct relevance for researchers, practitioners, and policy makers. <h3>Results</h3> Applied qualitative health research in low-resource settings has contributed to major impact on policy and practice at scale in settings such as China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Ghana and Sierra Leone, across a range of communicable and non-communicable diseases. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Despite difficult timeframes and tight budgets, applied qualitative research can contribute substantially to impact on health policy and practice in low-resource settings.