Criteria to assess potential reverse innovations: opportunities for shared learning between high- and low-income countries.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are developing novel approaches
to healthcare that may be relevant to high-income countries (HICs). These include
products, services, organizational processes, or policies that improve access, cost,
or efficiency of healthcare. However, given the challenge of replication, it is difficult
to identify innovations that could be successfully adapted to high-income settings.
We present a set of criteria for evaluating the potential impact of LMIC innovations
in HIC settings. METHODS: An initial framework was drafted based on a literature review,
and revised iteratively by applying it to LMIC examples from the Center for Health
Market Innovations (CHMI) program database. The resulting criteria were then reviewed
using a modified Delphi process by the Reverse Innovation Working Group, consisting
of 31 experts in medicine, engineering, management and political science, as well
as representatives from industry and government, all with an expressed interest in
reverse innovation. RESULTS: The resulting 8 criteria are divided into two steps with
a simple scoring system. First, innovations are assessed according to their success
within the LMIC context according to metrics of improving accessibility, cost-effectiveness,
scalability, and overall effectiveness. Next, they are scored for their potential
for spread to HICs, according to their ability to address an HIC healthcare challenge,
compatibility with infrastructure and regulatory requirements, degree of novelty,
and degree of current collaboration with HICs. We use examples to illustrate where
programs which appear initially promising may be unlikely to succeed in a HIC setting
due to feasibility concerns. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents a framework for identifying
reverse innovations that may be useful to policymakers and funding agencies interested
in identifying novel approaches to addressing cost and access to care in HICs. We
solicited expert feedback and consensus on an empirically-derived set of criteria
to create a practical tool for funders that can be used directly and tested prospectively
using current databases of LMIC programs.
Type
Journal articleSubject
Global healthHealthcare delivery models
Innovation
Low- and middle-income countries
Reverse innovation
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https://hdl.handle.net/10161/14764Published Version (Please cite this version)
10.1186/s12992-016-0225-1Publication Info
Bhattacharyya, Onil; Wu, Diane; Mossman, Kathryn; Hayden, Leigh; Gill, Pavan; Cheng,
Yu-Ling; ... McGahan, Anita (2017). Criteria to assess potential reverse innovations: opportunities for shared learning
between high- and low-income countries. Global Health, 13(1). pp. 4. 10.1186/s12992-016-0225-1. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/14764.This is constructed from limited available data and may be imprecise. To cite this
article, please review & use the official citation provided by the journal.
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Show full item recordScholars@Duke
William G. Mitchell
MMCi Instructor in the Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics
This author no longer has a Scholars@Duke profile, so the information shown here reflects
their Duke status at the time this item was deposited.
Dequing Wu
Research Scientist, Senior
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