Research Article

Approaches to overcoming constraints to effective health service delivery: a review of the evidence

  1. Valeria Oliveira-Cruz*,
  2. Kara Hanson,
  3. Anne Mills

Article first published online: 7 JAN 2003

DOI: 10.1002/jid.965

Issue

Journal of International Development

Journal of International Development

Special Issue: Expanding Access to Health Interventions in Low and Middle-Income Countries: Constraints and Opportunities for Scaling-Up

Volume 15, Issue 1, pages 41–65, January 2003

Additional Information

How to Cite

Oliveira-Cruz, V., Hanson, K. and Mills, A. (2003), Approaches to overcoming constraints to effective health service delivery: a review of the evidence. J. Int. Dev., 15: 41–65. doi: 10.1002/jid.965

Author Information

  1. Health Policy Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK

*Health Policy Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 7 JAN 2003
  2. Article first published online: 7 JAN 2003

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

Get PDF (169K)

Abstract

This paper reviews the current evidence base regarding efforts to overcome constraints to effective health service delivery in low and middle-income countries. A systematic literature review was chosen as the approach to gather and analyse existing knowledge about how to improve the ‘close-to-client’ health system. We focused on three levels of constraints: community and household, the health services delivery level itself, and health sector policy and strategic management. In total, 116 studies were reviewed and their main findings presented. The results should be interpreted with caution due to the considerable limitations in the existing evidence base. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Get PDF (169K)