The use of problem structuring methods in strategic health planning

Problem structuring methods have emerged as a powerful weapon in the armoury of operational research over the past twenty years. This paper will present and discuss the value of adopting formal problem structuring methods as part of the strategic health planning process. It will outline how problem structuring methods were embedded into the strategic health planning system developed for provincial health planning in Pakistan. It will draw upon the author's recent experience of using this system to assist the Government of the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan to develop a ‘Master’ Health Plan for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan. It will discuss the systematic use of problem structuring methods in the District Implementation Planning Process in Malawi. It will consider the value of adopting similar methods in developed health systems, particularly their role in bridging the gap in a ‘partnership model’ between community groups and statutory decision-makers.