|
Research |
||||
Research to Practice |
|
||||
|
Research is not an end in itself. It should be put into practice to improve policies and programs. Indeed, making sure that evidence-based research findings and best practices based on experiential knowledge are incorporated into service delivery has become an imperative in the reproductive health field. In resource-constrained settings, in particular, research and practice should be integrated to ensure greatest return on investment. To close the gap between research and practice, FHI is committed to a Research to Practice (RTOP) approach that involves:
FHI's research to practice efforts include:
A large gap still exists between the spheres of research and practice, leading to delays of a decade or longer before widespread use of conclusive evidence. The "Menu of Practices" aims to bridge this gap by ensuring that policy-makers, health practitioners, and other decision-makers are able to quickly and efficiently access, understand, and implement recommendations stemming from new and under-used research findings in reproductive health and family planning. Each of the Menus in this package includes recommendations to improve reproductive health policies and practices, and includes suggested tools and resources to support implementation.
For more information or to request technical assistance, please send us an email.
The intrauterine device (IUD) is an extremely safe, effective, and low-cost contraceptive. Yet many women lack accurate information or access to IUD services. FHI is working with other USAID-funded agencies to improve access to the IUD, and in particular is co-chairing USAID's MAQ IUD Subcommittee. This subcommittee, comprised of representatives from over a dozen organizations, has developed an electronic toolkit that provides comprehensive, standardized, scientifically-accurate, and evidence-based information on the IUD, as well as guidance on best practices and tools to help improve access to and quality of IUD services. FHI is also working with the Kenya Ministry of Health to coordinate a strategy to reintroduce the Copper T intrauterine device into the Kenya contraceptive method mix. Click here for more information. To promote better reproductive health services for women and men, Family Health International (FHI) has developed and validated three checklists for health care providers. The checklists are designed to assist health workers in their efforts to help family planning clients make informed choices about safe and effective use of contraception. Click here for more information. Promoting underused research findings A description of several FHI research findings that could improve reproductive health services if more widely incorporated into service delivery is available at underused research findings. Topics of research findings are: IUDs, eligibility screening and provider checklists, vasectomy, nonoxynol-9 spermicide, community-based delivery (CBD) of injectables, female condoms, service delivery guidelines, and emergency contraceptive pills. Collaborating with key partners in global health Developing research utilization resources. FHI is collaborating with WHO's Reproductive Health Research division and others to produce a resource document that will facilitate use of research findings.
If you or your organization are working in the area of sexual or reproductive health policy, education, training, or service delivery, and you would like more information about incorporating research into your work, please contact the Research to Practice staff at rtop@fhi.org. |
|||||
 |
|||||
Menu