PhD: Social Innovation and Health Technologies for Community Health Workers: An Afro-centric Perspective
The overarching goal of this research is to identify the most effective community engagement approach and develop a conceptual framework for incorporating Afro-centric perspectives of social innovation when deploying any socially innovative health technology used by Community Health Workers in rural Uganda.
1 October 2022 – 1 October 2026
Summary
The growing adoption of social innovation in health service delivery holds great promise for improving health outcomes especially in underserved communities. Social Innovation Theory (SIT) emphasises community engagement approaches in the development of culturally appropriate and locally relevant social solutions that empower the community. However, despite its potential benefits, the application of SIT has been largely Euro-centric, with limited research exploring its effectiveness in low-resourced settings such as Africa.
Furthermore, involvement of bottom-level stakeholders who can collaborate with top-level stakeholders by sharing insights, experiences, and local knowledge has been minimal especially when deploying any socially innovative health technology. This research therefore considers whether amplifying the silent voices of these emerging economies (especially the marginalised communities in Africa) provides an all-inclusive system that recognise their unique contribution to social change in their respective communities.
Methodological approaches
- Bibliometric analysis methods (using diagrams, graphs, and tables) to augment the comprehension of the research within the field of social innovation.
- Triangulated qualitative research method: Interviews, Observations, and Focus Group Discussions
- Inductive research approach to ensure the pathway considers the social and cultural norms of the communities and avoid over-utilised theoretical lenses.
- Interpretivist philosophical approach
Team members
Lead Researcher
External supervisor/advisor
Collaborators
NTU Supervisors
- Prof Dr Amon Simba – Director of Studies, Nottingham Business School
- Dr Diana Frost - Senior Lecturer, Nottingham Business School
- Prof Rob Ackrill - Nottingham Business School
- Prof Linda Gibson - Institute of Allied Health Professions
Related Publications
- Gorry, J., Gibson, L., Bukenya, D.J., Odeyemi, P. and Brown, M.O., 2023. Patient safety, global governance, and the right to health in integrated primary health care. In Research Handbook on Patient Safety and the Law (pp. 193-205). Edward Elgar Publishing.
- Musoke, D., Lubega, G.B., Gbadesire, M.S., Boateng, S., Twesigye, B., Gheer, J., Nakachwa, B., Brown, M.O., Brandish, C., Winter, J. and Ng, B.Y., 2023. Antimicrobial stewardship in private pharmacies in Wakiso district, Uganda: a qualitative study. Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice, 16(1), p.147.
- Musoke D, Lubega GB, Nabbanja CE, Nakalawa S, Niyongabo F, Winter J, Brown, M.O, Brandish C, Russell-Hobbs K, Musoke IK, Herbert B, Mugisha L, Gibson L. P16 Centre of excellence on antimicrobial stewardship in Central Uganda, JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance 2024. [abstract] Volume 6, Issue Supplement_1, January 2024, dlad143.020.