The District Health System must become a learning health system

Authors

  • L Gilson Division of Health Policy and Systems, School of Public Heath, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2775-7703
  • O S Motshweneng Department of Health and Wellness, Western Cape Government, Cape Town, South Africa; The Council for Health Service Accreditation of Southern Africa, Cape Town, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2414-5656

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7196/SAMJ.2024.v114i6.2097

Keywords:

District health system, Learning health systems

Abstract

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Author Biography

  • L Gilson, Division of Health Policy and Systems, School of Public Heath, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK

    Professor, School of Public Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa and Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK

References

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DeMaeseneerJ,WillemsS,DeSutterA,vandeGeuchteI,BillingsM.Primaryhealthcareasastrategyfor achieving equitable care: A literature review commissioned by the Health Systems Knowledge Network. HSKN, 2007. https://biblio.ugent.be/publication/396406/file/1041490 (accessed 10 January 2024).

South Africa. National Health Act No. 61 of 2003.

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the Western Cape Province. S Afr Health Rev 2021;1:173-187.

Barron P, Mahomed H, Masilela TC, Vallabhjee K, Schneider H. District Health System performance

in South Africa: Are current monitoring systems optimal? S Afr Med J 2023;113(12):1515-1521.

https://doi.org/10.7196/SAMJ.2023.v113i12.1614

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Gilson L, Elloker S, Olckers P, Lehmann U. Advancing the application of systems thinking in health: South African examples of a leadership of sensemaking for primary health care. Health Res Policy Systems 2014;12:1-3. https://doi.org/10.1186/1478-4505-12-30

Kruk ME, Gage AD, Arsenault C, et al. High-quality health systems in the Sustainable Development Goals era: Time for a revolution. Lancet Glob Health 2018;6(11):e1196-1252. https://doi.org/10.1016/ S2214-109X(18)30386-3

SheikhK,AbimbolaS,eds.Learninghealthsystems:Pathwaystoprogress.FlagshipreportoftheAlliance for Health Policy and Systems Research. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2021. https://ahpsr.who. int/publications/i/item/learning-health-systems-pathways-to-progress (accessed 10 January 2024).

Fiol CM, Lyles MA. Organizational learning. Acad Manage Review 1985;10(4):803-813. https://doi. org/10.5465/amr.1985.4279103

KawongaM,BlaauwD,FonnS.Theinfluenceofhealthsystemorganizationalstructureandcultureon integration of health services: The example of HIV service monitoring in South Africa. Health Policy Plan 2016;31(9):1270-1280. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czw061

Choonara S, Goudge J, Nxumalo N, Eyles J. Significance of informal (on-the-job) learning and leadership development in health systems: Lessons from a district finance team in South Africa. BMJ Glob Health 2017;2(1). https://doi.org/10.1136%2Fbmjgh-2016-000138

Wolvaardt G, Johnson S, Cameron D, Botha B, Kornik S. Challenges and constraints at district management level. In: English R, Padara A, eds. South African Health Review. Durban: Health Systems Trust, 2013:81-92.

Nxumalo N, Gilson L, Goudge J, et al. Accountability mechanisms and the value of relationships: Experiences of front-line managers at subnational level in Kenya and South Africa. BMJ Glob Health 2018;3(4):1-14. https://doi.org/10.1136%2Fbmjgh-2018-000842

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Published

2024-05-31

Issue

Section

DHS series

How to Cite

1.
Gilson L, Motshweneng OS. The District Health System must become a learning health system. S Afr Med J [Internet]. 2024 May 31 [cited 2026 Apr. 18];114(6):e2097. Available from: https://www.samajournals.co.za/index.php/samj/article/view/2097

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