Decentralisation; The Question of Management Capacity: A Response to Recent Commentaries

Document Type : Correspondence

Authors

Health Systems Section, School of Population Health, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

Keywords

Main Subjects


Whilst decentralisation as an instrument of healthcare reform remains popular, commentaries1-5 to our paper titled “Decentralisation of health services in Fiji: A decision space analysis”6 highlight the complexity in understanding decentralisation, with the significant body of research on decentralisation lacking consensus on its definition,7 differing on what constitutes decentralisation,7-11 emphasising different theoretical underpinnings and frameworks,7,12-14 and reporting varying applications and outcomes of decentralisation... (Read more...)

  1. Bossert TJ. Decision space and capacities in the decentralization of health services in Fiji: Comment on “Decentralisation of health services in Fiji: a decision space analysis.” Int J Health Policy Manag. 2016;5(7):443-444. doi:10.15171/ijhpm.2016.51
  2. Bustamante AV. U-form vs. M-form: how to understand decision autonomy under healthcare decentralization? Comment on “Decentralisation of health services in Fiji: a decision space analysis.” Int J Health Policy Manag. 2016;5(9):561-563. doi:10.15171/ijhpm.2016.73
  3. Zahmatkesh M, Exworthy M. Decentralisation, decision space and directions for future research: Comment on “Decentralisation of health services in Fiji: a decision space analysis.” Int J Health Policy Manag. 2016;5(10):607-608. doi:10.15171/ijhpm.2016.76
  4. Faguet JP. Low decision space means no decentralization in Fiji: Comment on “Decentralisation of health services in Fiji: a decision space analysis.” Int J Health Policy Manag. 2016;5(11):663-665. doi:10.15171/ijhpm.2016.82
  5. Peckham S. Decentralisation–a portmanteau concept that promises much but fails to deliver? Comment on “Decentralisation of health services in Fiji: a decision space analysis.” Int J Health Policy Manag. 2016; Forthcoming.  doi:10.15171/ijhpm.2016.88
  6. Mohammed J, North N, Ashton T. Decentralisation of health services in Fiji: a decision space analysis. Int J Health Policy Manag. 2016;5(3):173-181. doi:10.15171/ijhpm.2015.199
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  10. Saltman RB, Bankauskaite V, Vrangbaek K, eds. Decentralization in Health Care: Strategies and Outcomes. Berkshire: Open University Press; 2007. European Observatory on Health Systems and Policy Series.
  11. Vrangbaek K. Towards a typology for decentralization in health care. In: Saltman R, Bankauskaite V, Vrangbaek K, eds. Decentralization in Health Care: Strategies and Outcomes. Berkshire: Open University Press; 2007.
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  17. Mohammed J, Ashton T, North N. Wave upon wave: Fiji's experiments in decentralising its healthcare system. Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health. 2016;28(3):232-243. doi:10.1177/1010539516635270
  18. Mohammed J, North N, Ashton T. A context-specific approach to primary care strengthening in Fiji. In: Braithwaite J, Matsuyama Y, Mannion R, Shekelle P, Whittaker S, Al-Adawi S, eds. Health Systems Improvement Across the Globe: Success Stories From 60 Countries. 2016; Forthcoming.
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  23. Mills A. Decentralization and accountability in the health sector from an international perspective: what are the choices? Public Adm Dev. 1994;14(3):281-292. doi:10.1002/pad.4230140305
  24. Saide MA, Stewart DE. Decentralization and human resource management in the health sector: A case study (1996–1998) from Nampula province, Mozambique. Int J Health Plann  Manage. 2001;16(2):155-168. doi:10.1002/hpm.620
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  • Receive Date: 20 September 2016
  • Revise Date: 04 October 2016
  • Accept Date: 01 October 2016
  • First Publish Date: 01 January 2017