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BMC Health Services Research
Published in: BMC Health Services Research 1/2020

Open Access 01-12-2020 | Research article

Insights for the future of health system partnerships in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic literature review

Authors: Simone Fanelli, Fiorella Pia Salvatore, Gianluigi De Pascale, Nicola Faccilongo

Published in: BMC Health Services Research | Issue 1/2020

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Abstract

Background

Despite growing support for the private sector involvement in the provision of public health services in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), a lack of clear information on the future of the provision of such services restricts the ability of managers and policy-makers to assess how feasible integration between public and private actors may be in these countries. This paper presents a systematic literature review which traces the dynamics and boundaries of public-private partnerships for the healthcare sector in LMICs.

Methods

A total of 723 articles indexed in Scopus were initially submitted to bibliometric analysis. Finally, 148 articles published in several academic journals were selected for independent full-text review by two researchers. Content analysis was made in order to minimise mistakes in interpreting the findings of studies in the sample.

Results

Public-private partnerships identified through the content analysis were categorised into four research areas: 1) Transfer of resources; 2) Co-production of health goods and services; 3) Governance networks; 4) Criteria for successful partnership development.

Conclusions

The four main research areas supply suggestions for a future research agenda, and managerial and policy implications for partnerships in LMICs.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Insights for the future of health system partnerships in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic literature review
Authors
Simone Fanelli
Fiorella Pia Salvatore
Gianluigi De Pascale
Nicola Faccilongo
Publication date
01-12-2020
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Health Services Research / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6963
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-05435-8

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