04
GDHI
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This research is part of the ongoing study of GDHI. The diffusion or spread of innova-
tions over time through a specific population or social system is important to unlock
the potential benefits of an innovation. There has been much study of how to encour-
age the uptake of innovations so that they become part of everyday practice and ben-
efit many, rather than a few. In this research, we explore this from the demand side.
We explore how FHWs and leaders find solutions to their everyday challenges, and
which sources are the most influential. We consider how these groups are sourcing
solutions to their problems in six countries and how healthcare organizations can
source innovations more effectively to meet the needs of FHWs and leaders. The
study also explores the role that ‘curator organizations’ – a specialized set of organ-
izations that source innovations from around the world – are playing in helping to
diffuse innovations into clinical practice. We consider what role these organizations
could play in future to ensure that they are relevant to frontline needs.
The study builds on previous findings from 2013 GDHI research that showed how cer-
tain system characteristics, enablers and frontline behaviors are critical to diffusion.
1
It follows on from the 2015 GDHI study that assessed the importance and prevalence
of these elements in eight case studies of rapid, successfully scaled innovations.
2
This year, our study focuses on how FHWs and organization leaders source innova-
tion in the first place.
Our research draws on quantitative surveys of more than 1,350 FHWs in major
urban centers of six countries (England, the United States (US), Qatar, Brazil, India
and Tanzania). We conducted more than 90 personal interviews with healthcare
leaders in these locations and in-depth conversations with the managers of 10
curator organizations.