Quest: Supporting the local design of appropriate health learning materials

See also
Full report of this discussion

Links
Healthlink Worldwide

HIF-Net at WHO

International Institute for Communication and development (IICD)

Department for International Development (DFID)

Key points: Exchange lunchtime discussion 16 July 2002

David Curtis from Healthlink Worldwide highlighted the international debate on the importance of appropriate local content and materials.

This has been an enduring concern in the work of Healthlink Worldwide, and was a strand of discussion on the Health Information Forum (HIF-Net at WHO) in 2002. The issue is also important for the G8 Digital Opportunities Taskforce (DOT force), the International Institute for Communication and development (IICD), and the Department for International Development (DFID), among others.

Producing locally appropriate information raises questions such as:

• Where can information be retrieved from (what sources are available locally)?
• What goes on when information is ‘filtered’?
• How can one create, adapt and produce relevant information?
• What kind of approaches will encourage action for improved health and well-being?

The Quest approach

Quest is a methodology for designing locally appropriate information. It uses a flexible framework which aims to:

• increase effectiveness of materials produced
• share good practice based on lessons learned
• avoid duplication of efforts
• build on existing skills and local strengths and knowledge
• encourage collaboration, participation and ownership.

Quest brings all the stages of materials development together. The framework provides a range of guidelines and resources for each stage in the process, and includes a component of reflection at every step.

Andrew Chetley, Director of the Exchange programme, noted that Quest's proactive approach and focus on process and relevance rather than ‘products’, helps to improve the quality of the outcome. The space for reflection is key, as evaluation is not left until the end of the process, or simply used for assessing materials after they have been developed and used.

David described several important lessons that emerged from a pre-testing workshop:

• Conduct good background research.
• Set realistic objectives.
• Get the target audience to participate.
• Advocate for change.
• Recognise the social context of communication.
• Build on existing relationships and practices.
• Enlist the support of community leaders.
• Monitor and evaluate your work effectively.
• Ensure sustainibility.

David went on to describe some unexpected outcomes from the workshop, which was held in Zimbabwe in 2002. These are covered in the full report.

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