Diaries are time management tools traditionally used for recording appointments. However, in Bangladesh, Pathfinder International has begun using diaries to track performance at the grassroots level of a reproductive health program called the Rural Service Delivery Program (RSDP). RSDP is a rural component of the National Integrated Population and Health Program (NIPHP) implemented in partnership with BRAC and BCCP.
RSDP operates in 171 rural thanas of Bangladesh, covering 20–40 percent of each, and providing services that include reproductive health, family planning, child survival, and limited curative care. RSDP’s work is carried out by over 800 teams consisting of a Paramedic, an Assistant, a Community Mobilizer, and two Depotholders who provide services at the satellite clinic level.
Due to RSDP’s geographic spread and decentralized service structure, tracking each team’s performance is a challenge for RSDP’s central management. In response, RSDP has introduced diaries for recording performance. For example, each Paramedic records in her diary how many clients she has served by type of services. She will record how many women received oral contraceptives, how many came for antenatal care, and how many children were immunized on a given date at the satellite clinic. Similarly, the Community Mobilizer records his or her contacts with the community, either with individuals or groups.
Each team averages out its daily performance and compares it with previous months. The Thana Manager adds up the performance of all teams and compares performance over time. This system invokes competition among teams and allows self-monitoring by the teams themselves.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: 1. Describe how diaries are used to track performance at the grassroots level in rural Bangladesh. 2. Evaluate the efficacy of the diary tool for performance improvement
Keywords: Performance Measurement, Reproductive Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.