Lessons learnt of the COVID-19 contact tracing strategy in Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan using systems thinking processes
The strategy of test, trace and isolate has been promoted and seen as a crucial tool in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. As simple as the slogan sounds, effectively implementing it turns into a complex endeavor with multiple moving parts and the need for multisector collaboration. In this st...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-09-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.909931/full |
| _version_ | 1798001107938574336 |
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| author | Shamsa Zafar Carmen Sant Fruchtman Carmen Sant Fruchtman Muhammad Bilal Khalid Zaeem Zia Fawad Khalid Khan Shahid Iqbal Daniel Cobos Muñoz Daniel Cobos Muñoz |
| author_facet | Shamsa Zafar Carmen Sant Fruchtman Carmen Sant Fruchtman Muhammad Bilal Khalid Zaeem Zia Fawad Khalid Khan Shahid Iqbal Daniel Cobos Muñoz Daniel Cobos Muñoz |
| author_sort | Shamsa Zafar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The strategy of test, trace and isolate has been promoted and seen as a crucial tool in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. As simple as the slogan sounds, effectively implementing it turns into a complex endeavor with multiple moving parts and the need for multisector collaboration. In this study, we apply a systems thinking lens to analyse the design and implementation of the contact tracing strategy for COVID-19 in the district of Islamabad, Pakistan. The data collection included participatory observation, reflective exercises, key informant interviews and participatory workshops with district health managers and health providers. The information gathered was structured using process and stakeholder mapping to identify the lessons learned of the COVID-19 contact tracing strategy. The results showed that the elements crucial for implementation were, good coordination during a crisis, available resources mobilized effectively and establishment of early active surveillance for contact tracing. Furthermore, the main aspects to be improved were lack of preparedness and existing surveillance systems and task shifting leading to impact on regular health services. The results of this study highlight the importance of developing information systems that are coherent with existing processes and resources, even in times of crisis. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T11:30:52Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ee621b7a3edb488c8fe0737ede61fe6a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T11:30:52Z |
| publishDate | 2022-09-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-ee621b7a3edb488c8fe0737ede61fe6a2022-12-22T04:26:10ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652022-09-011010.3389/fpubh.2022.909931909931Lessons learnt of the COVID-19 contact tracing strategy in Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan using systems thinking processesShamsa Zafar0Carmen Sant Fruchtman1Carmen Sant Fruchtman2Muhammad Bilal Khalid3Zaeem Zia4Fawad Khalid Khan5Shahid Iqbal6Daniel Cobos Muñoz7Daniel Cobos Muñoz8Fazaia Medical College, Air University, Islamabad, PakistanUniversity of Basel, Basel, SwitzerlandEpidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, SwitzerlandChild Advocacy International, Islamabad, PakistanHealth Department ICT, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Islamabad, PakistanHealth Department ICT, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Islamabad, PakistanChild Advocacy International, Islamabad, PakistanUniversity of Basel, Basel, SwitzerlandEpidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, SwitzerlandThe strategy of test, trace and isolate has been promoted and seen as a crucial tool in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. As simple as the slogan sounds, effectively implementing it turns into a complex endeavor with multiple moving parts and the need for multisector collaboration. In this study, we apply a systems thinking lens to analyse the design and implementation of the contact tracing strategy for COVID-19 in the district of Islamabad, Pakistan. The data collection included participatory observation, reflective exercises, key informant interviews and participatory workshops with district health managers and health providers. The information gathered was structured using process and stakeholder mapping to identify the lessons learned of the COVID-19 contact tracing strategy. The results showed that the elements crucial for implementation were, good coordination during a crisis, available resources mobilized effectively and establishment of early active surveillance for contact tracing. Furthermore, the main aspects to be improved were lack of preparedness and existing surveillance systems and task shifting leading to impact on regular health services. The results of this study highlight the importance of developing information systems that are coherent with existing processes and resources, even in times of crisis.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.909931/fullCOVID-19systems thinkingcontact tracinghealth systemdistrict |
| spellingShingle | Shamsa Zafar Carmen Sant Fruchtman Carmen Sant Fruchtman Muhammad Bilal Khalid Zaeem Zia Fawad Khalid Khan Shahid Iqbal Daniel Cobos Muñoz Daniel Cobos Muñoz Lessons learnt of the COVID-19 contact tracing strategy in Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan using systems thinking processes Frontiers in Public Health COVID-19 systems thinking contact tracing health system district |
| title | Lessons learnt of the COVID-19 contact tracing strategy in Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan using systems thinking processes |
| title_full | Lessons learnt of the COVID-19 contact tracing strategy in Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan using systems thinking processes |
| title_fullStr | Lessons learnt of the COVID-19 contact tracing strategy in Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan using systems thinking processes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Lessons learnt of the COVID-19 contact tracing strategy in Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan using systems thinking processes |
| title_short | Lessons learnt of the COVID-19 contact tracing strategy in Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan using systems thinking processes |
| title_sort | lessons learnt of the covid 19 contact tracing strategy in islamabad capital territory pakistan using systems thinking processes |
| topic | COVID-19 systems thinking contact tracing health system district |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.909931/full |
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