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Assessment of Quality of Primary Health Care (PHC) Services
Assessing the Quality of Primary Health Care (PHC) Services in the Public Sector in Pakistan; A Health Systems Research Using Multimethod Approach
SPHERE Consulting conducted a comprehensive health systems research study to assess the quality of primary healthcare services across Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan, generating nationally and provincially representative evidence to inform policy and quality improvement initiatives. The study evaluated quality of care using the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) six domains of quality embedded within the Donabedian framework, assessed compliance with minimum service delivery standards, and developed evidence-based recommendations to strengthen primary healthcare services across Pakistan.
The assessment employed a multi-method approach, combining healthcare provider interviews, patient exit interviews, direct observation of clinical encounters, and analysis of routine health information from the District Health Information System (DHIS) and Electronic Medical Records/Hospital Management Information System (EMR/HMIS). Using standardized quality indicators, the study generated robust evidence to guide national and provincial health system reforms, strengthen governance, and support continuous quality improvement in primary healthcare service delivery.