TY  - JOUR
T1  - Do Healthcare Professional View Integrated Management of Childhood Illness Effective?
Findings from in-Depth Interviews and Focus Group Discussion in Oman
AU - Abdullah Alfannah, Fannah 
JO  - Research Journal of Medical Sciences
VL  - 14
IS  - 1
SP  - 1
EP  - 8
PY  - 2020
DA  - 2001/08/19
SN  - 1815-9346
DO  - rjmsci.2020.1.8
UR  - https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=rjmsci.2020.1.8
KW  - Integrated Management of Childhood Illness
(IMCI)
KW  -Childhood illness
KW  -Primary Health Care (PHC)
KW  -In-Depth Interviews (IDI)
KW  -Focus Group Discussion
(FGD)
KW  -Knowledge Attitudes and Skills (KAS)
AB  - This study highlights the findings of a recent
research effort where in-depth interviews and focus group
discussion were employed to examine views of healthcare
professionals on the likely impact of Integrated
Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) on healthcare
leadership in Blinded region, Oman. In-Depth Interviews
(IDIs) and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) were chosen
as appropriate methodologies to collect and analyze data.
These methods suited the aim of the study and 12 (n = 12)
healthcare professionals (8 male and 4 female) were
recruited, having more than 10 years of experience in
integrated management of childhood illness. In accord
with the best practice of qualitative research methodology,
a specific question was developed to initiate discussion
and gather participant’s knowledge and perceptions. The
focal question was whether IMCI strategy could have a
positive impact on healthcare leadership. The study was
carried out at Blinded Hospital, Sultanate of Oman in
April, 2017. All participants approved of IMCI strategy
and believed that there is a positive correlation between
the strategy and improved child healthcare. In addition, all
participants shared positive views on the impact of IMCI
on leadership in the healthcare sector. Participants of the
study strongly believed that IMCI strategy has: lead to
enhanced strategic leadership and management at a
macro level; improved Knowledge, Attitudes and Skills
(KAS) of Primary Healthcare (PHC) workers, resulted in
better prescription practices, prioritized the needs of
Primary Healthcare (PHC) units, improved clinical
practices and reduced unnecessary referrals. Results
from the qualitative data analysis highlight the
effectiveness of IMCI strategy. The findings also
indicate that IMCI strategy has a positive impact on
critical areas such as case management, KAS of
healthcare professionals and child healthcare leadership.
ER  -