0
0
Doha, Qatar – December 21, 2024
A groundbreaking report titled “Relationality in Community Engagement: Its Role in Humanizing Healthcare and Achieving Quality Integrated Health Services” was unveiled at the Seventh World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) in Doha. Developed in collaboration with the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), the report underscores the transformative role of community engagement in advancing more humane and equitable health systems.
The COVID-19 pandemic has starkly illustrated the need for robust community engagement to strengthen global health systems. As the world grapples with post-pandemic recovery, the report highlights community engagement as an essential pillar for emergency preparedness, response, and sustainable recovery efforts.
A Framework for Change
The report introduces the Integrated Change Framework (ICF), designed to embed community engagement within health system functions. Drawing insights from eight country case studies across various WHO regions, the framework identifies key success factors and provides actionable recommendations to enhance health system performance.
Key pillars of relational community engagement include:
- Relational Leadership and Governance
- Foster adaptive, transformative leadership to promote whole-system learning.
- Develop political commitment to relationship-centered approaches in health systems.
- Collaborate with civil services across sectors to reimagine public sector values and operations.
- Strengthening Relationship-Building Capabilities
- Build communication and collaboration skills across health systems, addressing power imbalances.
- Encourage participatory practices within multidisciplinary teams.
- Incorporate social and contextual data to design responsive health services.
- Investing in Transdisciplinary Research
- Support research initiatives grounded in the ICF to bridge the sciences, technology, and the arts.
Relationality: A Transformative Approach
Relationality, the emphasis on fostering meaningful relationships within healthcare, is highlighted as a critical element for improving patient care and promoting collaboration. By centering health systems around relationships—among healthcare workers, and between providers and patients—governments and institutions can address social determinants of health, ensure equity, and integrate lived experiences into service design.
“Relational community engagement is more than a strategy; it’s a shift toward more compassionate, inclusive health systems,” said experts at the summit. “This approach has the power to create stronger connections, improve collaboration, and foster a sense of belonging for all stakeholders.”
The Road Ahead
The report calls for global action to implement relational approaches at all levels of health systems. By prioritizing relationships, investing in leadership, and fostering transdisciplinary research, the Integrated Change Framework promises to pave the way for a more human-centered, equitable healthcare future.
The Seventh WISH Summit, held on November 13–14, 2024, brought together policymakers, researchers, and practitioners from around the world to discuss innovations in health and well-being. The launch of this report marks a significant step toward reimagining community engagement as a cornerstone of integrated health services.
