An innovation platform for diffusing public health practices across a global network

Abstract

Hospitals and health systems in high-income countries (HIC) develop the capacities of peer healthcare organizations around the world by diffusing clinical, quality, and public health improvement practices in lower and middle-income countries (LMIC). In turn, these HIC healthcare institutions are exposed to innovative approaches developed and used by global communities to advance care despite resource constraints in the LMIC contexts. Attention has been growing in recent years to the potential these innovations can have to improve care delivery, lower costs, and drive quality within resource constrained communities in HIC. Often referred to as 'reverse innovations,' the identification, adaptation, and diffusion of these practices face challenges in uptake related to limited evidence, perceptions of poor quality or irrelevance, and a complicated regulatory and policy environment. This paper suggests the development of a knowledge platform to support diffusion of innovative health practices along a global community continuum and illustrates its potential use.

The role of the private sector in noncommunicable disease prevention and management in low- and middle-income countries: a series of systematic reviews and thematic syntheses

“…Product innovation involves the introduction of new or significantly improved goods or services for NCD prevention and management (i.e., polypills, improved distribution methods) (Hancock et al, 2011 ; Nari Kahle et al, 2013 ; Plum et al, 2020 ; U.S. Department of State, 2011 ) and development of new health information or communication technology systems to improve data collection and monitoring (Doshi et al, 2021 ; Engelgau et al, 2016 ; Ganju et al, 2020 ; Global Systems for Mobile Communications, 2019 ; Rouleau et al, 2017 ; Shuvo et al, 2015 ; WHO, 2008 ). It also involves anticipating NCD-related needs and developing innovative technology that meets them (da Cruz Paula et al, 2020 ) and the upgrading of existing tools, devices, and technology to enhance services (Checkley et al, 2014 ; IFC, 2011 ; U.S. Department of State, 2011 ).…”

Innovation ecosystems in health: countries and theoretical models used

“…38 The growing potential to benefit from innovations highlights a significant problem faced by health systems: how to take advantage of the knowledge developed in these solutions that generally face many resource challenges in reaching patients. 39 Access to health services through hub-and-spoke service delivery models that as drivers of diffusion have complementarity with the existing medical infrastructure of institutions and reduce barriers to solution-mediated access with solutions such as the implementation of telehealth and other approaches.…”

Is Microcredit a Reverse Innovation?

“…Malodia et al (2020) propose a framework for reverse innovation to achieve enhanced global competitiveness, increased firm performance and sharp elevation in the firms' knowledge capital and learning. According to Plum et al (2020), successful reverse innovation requires an innovative mindset that is non-linear in thinking and risk-taking and a business mindset that is methodical.…”

“…Indeed, many US firms are setting up research and development (R&D) facilities in China in order to innovate frugally and then reap benefits in the emerging markets, as well as in the developed countries. Similarly, reverse innovation is being tried in public health organizations for high-income countries to learn from low-income countries (Plum et al, 2020). Firms realize that if they are not at the forefront of innovation, they will be disrupted.…”