Introduction
Health information
management advocacy is a planned process of influencing in order to achieve
a specific outcome. Within a development context, it can involve representing
the needs and interests of disadvantaged and marginalised groups to those with
the power to make or influence a change.
management advocacy is a planned process of influencing in order to achieve
a specific outcome. Within a development context, it can involve representing
the needs and interests of disadvantaged and marginalised groups to those with
the power to make or influence a change.
Different organisations and ‘experts’ have their own
more specific definitions of advocacy that promote their particular approach or
understanding, but whichever interpretation we prefer, it is important to
recognise the diversity of advocacy approaches that can be used. Each has its
merits but each is also dependent on its context.
more specific definitions of advocacy that promote their particular approach or
understanding, but whichever interpretation we prefer, it is important to
recognise the diversity of advocacy approaches that can be used. Each has its
merits but each is also dependent on its context.
An advocacy campaign is a planned
project over a given period of time in order to achieve some specific advocacy
goals. Campaigning can therefore
be seen as the process of doing advocacy. Campaigning does not necessarily involve
engaging with the public – that is a strategic decision. Some campaigning can
use a completely ‘insider’ approach, engaging solely with the decision makers
and their immediate advisors.
project over a given period of time in order to achieve some specific advocacy
goals. Campaigning can therefore
be seen as the process of doing advocacy. Campaigning does not necessarily involve
engaging with the public – that is a strategic decision. Some campaigning can
use a completely ‘insider’ approach, engaging solely with the decision makers
and their immediate advisors.
The body
Advocacy and campaigns in health
information management share a cycle of activity which includes Identifying the
problem, researching the issues
surrounding the problem, planning
a set of activities, acting on our plan, and evaluating the results input efforts.
Advocacy campaigns all over the world use this model – or something very
similar – to help design more effective advocacy campaigns.
information management share a cycle of activity which includes Identifying the
problem, researching the issues
surrounding the problem, planning
a set of activities, acting on our plan, and evaluating the results input efforts.
Advocacy campaigns all over the world use this model – or something very
similar – to help design more effective advocacy campaigns.
Identifying
the problem
the problem
Health information advocacy helps to
identify health problems created by government policies or social practices.
These problems although cannot usually be solved by one individual but affected
communities need advocates to help them address their problems and offer
solutions. The first step in preparing for advocacy campaign in health
information management is to identify these problems and educate the advocating
teams about their causes and effects. As an illustration, problems in health
management often resemble the structure of a tree.
identify health problems created by government policies or social practices.
These problems although cannot usually be solved by one individual but affected
communities need advocates to help them address their problems and offer
solutions. The first step in preparing for advocacy campaign in health
information management is to identify these problems and educate the advocating
teams about their causes and effects. As an illustration, problems in health
management often resemble the structure of a tree.
If we imagine that the most important
problem is the trunk of the tree, we can then see all of the related effects
growing out like branches. After we have identified the effects (branches) and
causes (roots) of our problem we may discover there are other problems to address.
It is important for health information practitioners to prioritize and decide
which ones are the most important and can be realistically solved through
advocacy. The most important problems are usually the ones that, if solved,
will lead directly to better lives for the people in the affected group.
problem is the trunk of the tree, we can then see all of the related effects
growing out like branches. After we have identified the effects (branches) and
causes (roots) of our problem we may discover there are other problems to address.
It is important for health information practitioners to prioritize and decide
which ones are the most important and can be realistically solved through
advocacy. The most important problems are usually the ones that, if solved,
will lead directly to better lives for the people in the affected group.
Research
Health information management, research is
an important step in preparing for advocacy campaign. Careful, objective
research will educate advocate and supporters about the causes and effects of
the problem. Many advocates make the mistake of implementing advocacy
activities without first researching the problem. Advocates must be fully
informed about the problem they we expect to persuade people and institutions
to change policies for the better. Thankfully, there is already a wealth of
information available
an important step in preparing for advocacy campaign. Careful, objective
research will educate advocate and supporters about the causes and effects of
the problem. Many advocates make the mistake of implementing advocacy
activities without first researching the problem. Advocates must be fully
informed about the problem they we expect to persuade people and institutions
to change policies for the better. Thankfully, there is already a wealth of
information available
There is no substitute, however, for
hearing directly from the affected group. This research can be carried out
through questionnaires, surveys, interviews, and focus groups. Simply observing
how the affected group who manages and lives with the problem will greatly
inform practitioner’s research and ultimately, the solution.
hearing directly from the affected group. This research can be carried out
through questionnaires, surveys, interviews, and focus groups. Simply observing
how the affected group who manages and lives with the problem will greatly
inform practitioner’s research and ultimately, the solution.
The information gathered in the course
of the research by health information management practitioners should be integrated
into the activities of the advocacy campaign by attracting media attention
through holding conferences or writing publications and press releases to help
communicate the idea to a wider audience.
of the research by health information management practitioners should be integrated
into the activities of the advocacy campaign by attracting media attention
through holding conferences or writing publications and press releases to help
communicate the idea to a wider audience.
Planning
Once health information management
practitioners conduct research, and determined that advocacy will be the most
effective response to produce positive change, they must plan the campaign. The
planning process starts by choosing their goals, objectives, indicators, targets, and activities.
practitioners conduct research, and determined that advocacy will be the most
effective response to produce positive change, they must plan the campaign. The
planning process starts by choosing their goals, objectives, indicators, targets, and activities.
After a thorough analysis of goals,
objectives, indicators, targets, and activities health information management
practitioner are ready to create an advocacy campaign action plan. This plan
will help in consolidation of thoughts and efforts into a concise framework for
our advocacy campaign and help guide everyone working on the campaign.
objectives, indicators, targets, and activities health information management
practitioner are ready to create an advocacy campaign action plan. This plan
will help in consolidation of thoughts and efforts into a concise framework for
our advocacy campaign and help guide everyone working on the campaign.
In
planning health information practitioners should note indicators that show signs
that progress is being made. All good indicators should be:
planning health information practitioners should note indicators that show signs
that progress is being made. All good indicators should be:
Ø
Direct: A direct
indicator measures only one thing at a time. Suppose, for example, that we trying
to study income levels for a specific population. We could collect a direct
indicator like household income over a specific period of time. Occasionally,
however, a direct indicator is not available. For example, in rural areas it
might be difficult to find statistics on income levels. Instead, we could look
at the percentage of village households with radios or bicycles as a substitute
indicator of wealth. These substitute indicators are called proxy indicators.
Direct: A direct
indicator measures only one thing at a time. Suppose, for example, that we trying
to study income levels for a specific population. We could collect a direct
indicator like household income over a specific period of time. Occasionally,
however, a direct indicator is not available. For example, in rural areas it
might be difficult to find statistics on income levels. Instead, we could look
at the percentage of village households with radios or bicycles as a substitute
indicator of wealth. These substitute indicators are called proxy indicators.
Ø
Distinct: Sometimes
we may need to separate information about our activities into categories. These
categories, divided by gender, age, location or some other characteristic, are
called distinct indicators. Distinct indicators show us exactly who is
benefiting and participating in our advocacy activities.
Distinct: Sometimes
we may need to separate information about our activities into categories. These
categories, divided by gender, age, location or some other characteristic, are
called distinct indicators. Distinct indicators show us exactly who is
benefiting and participating in our advocacy activities.
Ø
Practical: An
indicator is practical if data can be obtained easily and at a reasonable cost.
Both cheap and readily available, the number of newspaper stories published
about our advocacy campaign is a good example of a practical indicator.
Practical: An
indicator is practical if data can be obtained easily and at a reasonable cost.
Both cheap and readily available, the number of newspaper stories published
about our advocacy campaign is a good example of a practical indicator.
Ø
Reliable: A
reliable indicator provides dependable information for confident decision
making.
Reliable: A
reliable indicator provides dependable information for confident decision
making.
Many
indicators in planning especially in health information management are based on
numbers, like household income figures, which means they are easy to understand
and evaluate. There are many other indicators, however, that are based on
peoples’ personal experiences or opinions and therefore less clear and
sometimes less reliable. For example, if we ask our affected group how they feel about a
problem we may hear many different opinions and ideas. If there is no consensus
within the group it can be very difficult to find a indicator that represents
the progress towards our objectives.
indicators in planning especially in health information management are based on
numbers, like household income figures, which means they are easy to understand
and evaluate. There are many other indicators, however, that are based on
peoples’ personal experiences or opinions and therefore less clear and
sometimes less reliable. For example, if we ask our affected group how they feel about a
problem we may hear many different opinions and ideas. If there is no consensus
within the group it can be very difficult to find a indicator that represents
the progress towards our objectives.
It is not
always possible to find indicators, both based on numbers and on experiences
that fit all four characteristics. We should search for as many of these four
characteristics as possible.
always possible to find indicators, both based on numbers and on experiences
that fit all four characteristics. We should search for as many of these four
characteristics as possible.
Acting
After planning advocacy campaign action
plan health information practitioners move on to begin implementing campaign activities.
Before starting, a series of chosen activities, however, need to be prioritized.
Some activities can be done anytime, some may require that other activities are
done first, and some others will need to occur at specific dates or times. Campaign
activities will have a greater impact if they are planned beforehand.
plan health information practitioners move on to begin implementing campaign activities.
Before starting, a series of chosen activities, however, need to be prioritized.
Some activities can be done anytime, some may require that other activities are
done first, and some others will need to occur at specific dates or times. Campaign
activities will have a greater impact if they are planned beforehand.
Evaluation
In addition to a well-built and
realistic advocacy campaign action plan, all successful advocacy campaigns must
have a strong commitment to regularly monitoring and evaluating advocates’
efforts. It is through monitoring and evaluating the health information
management practitioners can adjust their action plan to reflect lessons
learned mid-campaign.
realistic advocacy campaign action plan, all successful advocacy campaigns must
have a strong commitment to regularly monitoring and evaluating advocates’
efforts. It is through monitoring and evaluating the health information
management practitioners can adjust their action plan to reflect lessons
learned mid-campaign.
Gathering information to measure the
impact of our advocacy campaign is called “monitoring.” Monitoring compares the
inputs (human,
material and financial resources), outputs
(activities, products), and results (achievements)
against the advocacy campaign action plan. In order for monitoring to be
effective it must be completely integrated into all phases of the advocacy
campaign. When we monitor regularly we can tell if our activities are helping
us achieve our objectives.
impact of our advocacy campaign is called “monitoring.” Monitoring compares the
inputs (human,
material and financial resources), outputs
(activities, products), and results (achievements)
against the advocacy campaign action plan. In order for monitoring to be
effective it must be completely integrated into all phases of the advocacy
campaign. When we monitor regularly we can tell if our activities are helping
us achieve our objectives.
A successful monitoring program will
provide practitioner with a rich source of information about campaign and
ensure accountability. For example, to see if our media campaign is successful,
health information practitioner will need to keep a record of press coverage to
see if their lobbying efforts have been successful.
provide practitioner with a rich source of information about campaign and
ensure accountability. For example, to see if our media campaign is successful,
health information practitioner will need to keep a record of press coverage to
see if their lobbying efforts have been successful.
Periodically during advocacy campaign health
information practitioners need to analyze the information they have gathered
during the monitoring process. This is called evaluation. Evaluations will help
practitioner think critically about their strengths and weaknesses. Using the
indicators from the advocacy campaign action plan, they can assess what has been
accomplished and how well their resources have been used.
information practitioners need to analyze the information they have gathered
during the monitoring process. This is called evaluation. Evaluations will help
practitioner think critically about their strengths and weaknesses. Using the
indicators from the advocacy campaign action plan, they can assess what has been
accomplished and how well their resources have been used.
The monitoring data might also indicate
changes in power structures, allies and opponents, or even the problem itself.
They must be prepared to adjust their
advocacy campaign action plan, even while the campaign is underway, to reflect
the results of our evaluation.
changes in power structures, allies and opponents, or even the problem itself.
They must be prepared to adjust their
advocacy campaign action plan, even while the campaign is underway, to reflect
the results of our evaluation.
Conclusion
Wherever there is lack of effective
health care, oppression, poverty, or injustice there is a need for advocacy.
Behind every strong advocacy campaign is a clear and concise advocacy campaign
action plan based on the five steps of the advocacy cycle. In the end, this
plan will guide health information practitioners through the obstacles and
challenges they face to creating real change in the targeted communities.
Advocacy is a movement to effect changes and needed to be carried out in a
persistent and consistent way in other to identify a problem and make frantic
effort to eradicate it. In most case, persistence, strong will and ability to
persuade supporter and policy makers is very essential.
health care, oppression, poverty, or injustice there is a need for advocacy.
Behind every strong advocacy campaign is a clear and concise advocacy campaign
action plan based on the five steps of the advocacy cycle. In the end, this
plan will guide health information practitioners through the obstacles and
challenges they face to creating real change in the targeted communities.
Advocacy is a movement to effect changes and needed to be carried out in a
persistent and consistent way in other to identify a problem and make frantic
effort to eradicate it. In most case, persistence, strong will and ability to
persuade supporter and policy makers is very essential.
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