Task Shifting in Evaluative Research

Both programs extended the concept of task shifting into the realms of operational research, quality improvement and information management.  Supports for this included:  vertically-linked leadership hubs and community health committees that fostered team work and mentorship; and, opportunities to assess, act and debrief on approaches used.  Results from the four-country program included: action on clinical care and policy gaps identified through locally collected data; and quality improvement projects led by leadership hub members. Findings from the Kenyan program indicate that Community Health Workers can collect adequately reliable population data for decision making, and deliver key elements of an essential care package.