title: Raising the profile of participatory action research at the 2010 Global Symposium on Health Systems Research.
abstract: By involving citizens and health workers in producing evidence and learning, participatory action research has potential to organize community evidence, stimulate action, and challenge the marginalization that undermines achievement of universal health coverage. This paper summarizes and analyzes results of two sessions on this research model convened by the authors at the First Global Symposium on Health Systems Research in Montreux Switzerland, November 16-19, 2010. In so doing, it reviews case studies and experiences discussed, particularly their contribution to universal health coverage in different settings. The paper also reflects on challenges faced by participatory action research, and outlines recommendations from the two sessions, including creation of a learning network for participatory action research.
authors.affiliation: Training and Research Support Centre, Harare, Zimbabwe. rene@tarsc.org
authors.forename: Rene
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Loewenson
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Flores
authors.forename: Abhay
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shukla
authors.forename: Maija
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kagis
authors.forename: Amuda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baba
authors.forename: Ashraf
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ryklief
authors.forename: Clara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mbwili-Muleya
authors.forename: Dhananjay
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kakde
mesh_terms: D000349:Africa; D000569:Americas; D018672:Community Health Planning; D019058:Community Networks; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D014943:Global Health; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D019472:Universal Health Insurance