Advancing efficiency in an evidence response service towards the achievement of universal health coverage (UHC) in South Africa
1
Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
2
Essential Drugs Programme, National Health Insurance Branch, National Department of Health, Pretoria, South Africa
3
Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
4
Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3830
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
To strengthen healthcare recommendations through evidence synthesis towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in South Africa, the Evidence to Decision (E2D) collaboration builds on and harnesses a decade of engagement with academic and government partners. The E2D collaboration provides timely, responsive evidence synthesis and methodological support for evidence-informed decision-making by National Department of Health committees. Leveraging technology to streamline evidence requests and improve overall efficiency is key to this process. Here we describe the development of a tailored data platform to meet the specific needs of the E2D collaboration evidence-response service and to enhance review request processes.
METHODS:
Previously, the service operated through email requests, informal discussions and manual spreadsheet updates, making real-time updates cumbersome and dependent on multiple people for maintenance. We then implemented a Microsoft Form for request submission, but updates still relied on manual input. With the formalization of the E2D collaboration evidence-response service, we developed a more robust data platform in REDCap to support real-time updates and multi-user accessibility. We piloted the platform to manage evidence requests from the National Department of Health.
RESULTS:
We completed one pilot request in five months, and fourteen are in process. The platform enabled streamlining of requests without multiple email exchanges, and with request form templates completed with all relevant information. Available reviewers are allocated on the system, however, updates are required to enable focused real-time reviewer allocation, progress updates, and for allocated reviewers to access the relevant supporting documents on the platform. Further development and refinement is ongoing.
CONCLUSIONS:
Harnessing technology enhances efficiency, improves reviewer capacity management, and minimizes the risk of overlooked requests. We further anticipate this serving as a pilot project to optimise processing for a planned Health Technology Assessment agency, supporting the transition towards UHC in South Africa.
To strengthen healthcare recommendations through evidence synthesis towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in South Africa, the Evidence to Decision (E2D) collaboration builds on and harnesses a decade of engagement with academic and government partners. The E2D collaboration provides timely, responsive evidence synthesis and methodological support for evidence-informed decision-making by National Department of Health committees. Leveraging technology to streamline evidence requests and improve overall efficiency is key to this process. Here we describe the development of a tailored data platform to meet the specific needs of the E2D collaboration evidence-response service and to enhance review request processes.
METHODS:
Previously, the service operated through email requests, informal discussions and manual spreadsheet updates, making real-time updates cumbersome and dependent on multiple people for maintenance. We then implemented a Microsoft Form for request submission, but updates still relied on manual input. With the formalization of the E2D collaboration evidence-response service, we developed a more robust data platform in REDCap to support real-time updates and multi-user accessibility. We piloted the platform to manage evidence requests from the National Department of Health.
RESULTS:
We completed one pilot request in five months, and fourteen are in process. The platform enabled streamlining of requests without multiple email exchanges, and with request form templates completed with all relevant information. Available reviewers are allocated on the system, however, updates are required to enable focused real-time reviewer allocation, progress updates, and for allocated reviewers to access the relevant supporting documents on the platform. Further development and refinement is ongoing.
CONCLUSIONS:
Harnessing technology enhances efficiency, improves reviewer capacity management, and minimizes the risk of overlooked requests. We further anticipate this serving as a pilot project to optimise processing for a planned Health Technology Assessment agency, supporting the transition towards UHC in South Africa.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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