THEnet is a group of innovative schools in Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia and the Americas working with and for disadvantaged communities. They seek to change how academic institutions achieve and measure their impact. THEnet schools define success by how well institutions meet the needs of the societies and communities they serve. They work together to develop evidence on what works and how as well as support other education institutions wanting to improve their impact on health and health systems.

Through THEnet new voices are being heard: relatively unknown schools on the front-lines of health development are challenging the policies, institutions and orthodoxies which have systematically failed certain groups of people.

 

What We Do

THEnet's Evaluation Framework

The Evaluation Framework for Socially Accountable Health Professions Schools is a comprehensive map that guides THEnet's research and evaluation efforts. It describes key elements to be examined and evaluated, the criteria and values considered as well as methodologies applied. It ensures that key aspects relevant to socially accountable health workforce education are captured and allows evaluations to focus on common issues of particular importance, whilst recognizing the variation between schools according to local contextual factors.

The Framework seeks to highlight the research and data gaps and the interconnections among the myriad of social, health and education factors, policies and strategies that affect medical education and its impact on health and health services. It is an organic tool that will continuously evolve as root causes and links are examined in greater detail.

Research

The ultimate goal for THEnet research activities is to strengthen the capacity of health professions institutions to design, manage and evaluate education, research and services programs that improve health service provision; positively influence health policymaking and help build a sustainable health workforce, particularly in underserved areas.

THEnet focuses on the nuts and bolts of relationships, actions, processes and contexts that help institutions produce appropriately trained and motivated health workers; the most relevant actionable research, and offer the most needed services .

Capacity Development

By drawing on the combined strength of a network of institutions, THEnet can support the transformation of in-country health and medical education and training institutions into outcome-oriented partners in sustainable health system development.

THEnet is combined international capacity development experiences in countries as diverse as Nepal; Laos; Uganda; Ghana; Ethiopia; Rwanda; East and West-Timor; Papua-New Guinea; United Kingdom; Ireland; Gambia and Honduras

Areas of Expertise include:

Planning, Development, Management and Evaluation of Pre-Service, Post-Graduate and In-Service Education Programs: THEnet can help design, facilitate and support multi-stakeholder planning processes and provide broad or specific technical input in developing, reforming or evaluating education programs.

Institutional Capacity Development: THEnet schools with experience relevant to the needs of a particular in-country training institution can establish long-term mentoring and twinning relationship to strengthen organizational and leadership capacity.