Publication: Networks of Practice in Urban Ghana: Design and Implementation - Key Lessons from Formative Research in Ayawaso Central and Atwima Nwabiagya Municipal
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2025-01-03
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2025-01-03
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This brief presents insights and lessons for the Networks of Practice (NoP) program in urban Ghana, based on formative research conducted in Ayawaso Central, Greater Accra Region and Atwima Nwabiagya Municipal, Ashanti Region. The research used Patient Pathway Analysis (PPA) and Summative Network Analysis (SNA) to understand and compare patient journeys in settings with and without NoPs. The NoP program has not yet expanded into urban areas, but studying patient journeys and the healthcare provider situation in urban settings provides essential information for patient oriented NoP design. Features that were found to be specific to urban districts include a higher density of health providers, a greater role of private health facilities and clinics as compared to rural areas, and higher out-of-pocket expenditure on healthcare. For successful NoP implementation, network formation in urban areas will need to be tailored to the prevailing care delivery landscape and healthcare utilization patterns. This may include upgrading selected public sector facilities to become network hubs and enhancing collaboration with private sector providers to strengthen urban networks. Urban NoPs can advance Ghana’s ambition to increase access to quality primary care, robust referral pathways, and financial protection for all healthcare users in the country. Further research in various urban and peri-urban districts of Ghana and implementation of urban NoP pilots will be beneficial for shaping an NoP program suited to urban health systems
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“World Bank. 2025. Networks of Practice in Urban Ghana: Design and Implementation - Key Lessons from Formative Research in Ayawaso Central and Atwima Nwabiagya Municipal. © World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/42597 License: CC BY-NC 3.0 IGO.”
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