FEiA Applied Operational Research
Applied operational research is a key focus of FEiA and is embedded into all our FETP programs as a core competency and major focus. In addition to the operational research conducted by fellows during their training, our FEiA faculty work together on important operational research projects, and invite graduate and current fellows to participate and lead components of these studies.
FEiA Operational Research Projects
FEiA has conducted two operational research studies in PNG. The first was in response to a request from the COVID-19 National Control Centre in PNG to explore the reason why health care workers were not obtaining clinical specimens from suspected cases. A national survey of 407 healthcare workers was completed and key barriers and enablers identified. A report of this study is available:
The second project is focused on understanding vaccine hesitancy in Papua New Guinea. This project is being conducted in March-April 2021 and will be use to adapt and tailor messaging prior to the vaccine rollout.
Why are operational projects needed?
Operational research provides a grounded approach to improving health systems and service delivery outcomes. Understanding the barriers and enablers to service delivery at the front line is an essential prerequisite to strengthening health systems and improving the overall impact of program delivery.
Impact of operational research projects
The evidence based interventions developed by FEiA fellows during their training has saved, quite literally, hundreds and hundreds of lives. The impact of operational research that is driven at the national and provincial levels, and reaches down to those on the front lines, is enormous. Our fellows continually demonstrate that small changes based on good evidence have massive impacts.
