ABSTRACT
This is a pilot study undertaken by the authors to analyse the communication system as prevalent in health services at District Health Office (DHO) and five Primary Health Centres (PHCs) under it. The five PHCs were randomly selected under DHO Bellary. The authors study the nature of communication of correspondences pertaining to establishment matters, health intelligence and health activities for the first quarter of the financial year between the DHO and PHCs level, pinpoint deficiencies and list out suggestions.
PIP: A study was conducted of communications and correspondence between 5 randomly selected primary health centers (PHCs) and their district health office (DHO) from April to June, 1977, to evaluate their communication system. A statistical assistant and a computer specialist using 3 different schedules analyzed correspondence pertaining to organizational and health matters. Staff shortages and lack of supplies were found to hamper written communications and record keeping. It was difficult to estimate the total quantity of letters sent and received as files were incomplete at both ends. Communications were classified according to subject matter covered, type of communication, and urgency. 85% of communications issued by PHCs and the DHO were initial ones, and few follow-up letters were included. Most communications did not require any reply. Suggestions for improvement of the system by the staff focused on providing adequate personnel, equipment, and supplies, and allowing enough time for replying to avoid duplicate reports. The authors suggest that more communications from the DHO to the PHCs are needed on implementation and supervision of health programs, that more communications are needed providing guidance and supervision to individual PHCs, and that records of monthly meetings at DHO and PHCs should be more complete.
