Organisation of primary health care in the Asia-Pacific region: developing a prioritised research agenda

Palagyi, Anna; Dodd, Rebecca; Jan, Stephen; Nambiar, Devaki; Joshi, Rohina; Tian, Maoyi; Abimbola, Seye; Peiris, David

focus area 1: what is the optimal mix of PHC services and teams, and how do we determine this in a particular context? Embedding research into local health system policy and practice, and fostering a culture of sharing 'practice-based evidence' 27 (including both intended and unintended consequences), will help provide decision makers in the region with contextual examples of service packages and team composition, and the necessary prerequisites for successful implementation. Research endeavours in this area should link epidemiological data of disease burden with sustainability considerations, including community acceptability and cost-effectiveness, to inform public investment. Studies may consider appropriate models of PHC delivered through the formal health system (and involving different cadres of qualified health workers), as well as the potential role of lay health workers and how best to link them into government services.