ABSTRACT
The new political era in South Africa offers unique opportunities for the development of more equitable health care policies. However, resource constraints are likely to remain in the foreseeable future, and efficiency therefore remains an important concern. This article describes the guiding principles and methods used to develop a coherent and objective plan for comprehensive primary health care facilities in Soweto. The article begins with an overview of the context within which the research was undertaken. Problems associated with planning in transition are highlighted, and a participatory research approach is recommended as a solution to these problems. The article goes on to describe how the research methods were developed and applied in line with the principles of participatory research. The methods were essentially rapid appraisal techniques which included group discussions, detailed checklists, observation, record reviews and the adaptation of international and local guidelines for service planning. It is suggested that these methods could be applied to other urban areas in South Africa and elsewhere, and that they are particularly appropriate in periods of transition when careful facilitation of dialogue between stakeholders is required in tandem with the generation of rapid results for policy-makers.
PIP: This paper describes the guiding principles and methods used to develop a coherent and objective plan for comprehensive primary health care facilities in Soweto. An overview of the context within which the research was conducted is first presented. Problems associated with planning in transition are then outlined and a participatory research approach recommended to solve them. The authors describe how the research methods were developed and applied according to the principles of participatory research. The methods used were largely the rapid appraisal techniques of group discussion, detailed checklists, observation, record reviews, and the adaptation of international and local guidelines for service planning. These methods could be applied to other urban areas in South Africa and elsewhere. They are especially appropriate during periods of transition when the careful facilitation of dialogue between stakeholders is required together with the generation of rapid results for policymakers.
