Towards Data-Driven Pediatrics in Zimbabwe

Efficient and effective healthcare systems utilize the available data at every level to provide evidence-based care and improve procedures and practice in order to meet the three goals of healthcare institutions – access, quality and efficiency. Regardless of the changing child health needs and often failure by traditional healthcare models to cope, most of the public health institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa are not providing data-driven pediatrics to meet the ever-changing child health needs. There is a lack of utilization of the data collected by the routine health information systems to provide evidence-based and personalized pediatrics. This study employed an exploratory research design to explore the opportunities, and potential challenges of data-driven pediatrics based on the lessons learnt from the introduction of the electronic health record and Neotree (a digital health system deployed in Zimbabwe and Malawi to help health workers manage neonates’ health) in Makonde District. Twenty public health workers participated in interviews and focus groups and reports from the district health information system provided further insights. The study revealed that data-driven pediatrics could improve access, efficiency and quality of pediatric care, regardless of such potential challenges as fear of medico-legal hazards, centralization of decision-making, resistance by healthcare workers, network challenges and computer illiteracy. To increase the chances of success, the following lessons learnt from electronic health record and neotree introduction could help: start small, sensitize communities first, involve line healthcare workers from the beginning, do not train in a haste and demystify technology’s purpose. The study revealed that there are pediatricians and nurses willing to shift to data-driven pediatrics if the technologies are available.