Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #110179

Gamal El Khatib, MD, MPH, Mohamed Abou Nar, MBA, MSc, Morsy Mansour, MD, and Ton Van der Velden, MD, MPH. TAHSEEN/CATALYST, 53 Manial, 4th Floor, Cairo, 11451, Egypt, (20)2-532-5065, mnar@tahseen.org

In 2004, the TAHSEEN/CATALYST Project initiated a clinic management and integrated supervision program in Egypt focusing on leadership, client and staff satisfaction, team problem-solving, collegial respect, and process measurement. The program encourages leadership and innovation – important in low-resource environments - in integrated family planning and maternal and child health at the district and clinic level. Evidence suggests that these are essential aspects of continuous quality improvement (CQI). Service integration begins with training integrated teams on the conceptual framework and tools necessary to engage in continuous quality improvement, supported by an integrated system of supervision. Through new concepts of leadership and supervision, clinic staff members become the center this process. District supervisors facilitate integrated supervision and process evaluation. A shared vision, measurable goals, clear roles, challenge and support in the workplace improve performance and ensure sustainability. The program also expands community participation by creating clinic boards and engaging key community leaders. Among five clinics where this program was first implemented, integrated quality of care indicators improved an average of 70%. Four clinics that focused on antenatal care achieved a 39% increase in the average number of visits for antenatal care. Three clinics, which focused on family planning, achieved an increase of 54% in the average number of visits for family planning. (Two clinics focused on both antenatal care and family planning.) Clinic staffs members' understanding of their responsibilities increased 132% while their perceived level of management support increased 77%. Patient flow in all five clinics increased an average of 167%.

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