Perceived Roles, Benefits and Barriers of Virtual Global Health Partnership Initiatives: A Cross-Sectional Exploratory Study
Abstract BACKGROUNDVirtual global health partnership initiatives (VGHPIs) evolved rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure partnership continuity, however the current landscape for VGHPI use and preference is unknown. This study aimed to increase understanding of GH partners’ perspectives on VGHPIs.METHODSFrom 15 October to 30 November 2020, authors conducted an online, international survey using snowball sampling to document pandemic-related changes in partnership activities; preferences for VGHPIs; and perceived acceptability and barriers. Analysis stratified responses by country income classification and partnership type. RESULTSA total of 128 respondents described 219 partnerships. 152/219 (69%) partnerships were transnational, 157/219 (72%) were of >5 years duration, and 127/219 (60%) included bidirectional site visits. High-income country (HIC) partners sent significantly more learners to low- to middle-income country (LMIC) partner sites (P<0.01). Participants commented on pandemic-related disruptions affecting 217/219 (99%) partnerships; 195/217 (90%) were disruption to activities; 122/217 (56%) to communication; 73/217 (34%) to access to professional support; and 72/217 (33%) to funding. Respondents indicated that VGHPIs would be important to 206/219 (94%) of their partnerships moving forward. There were overall differences in resource availability, technological capacity, and VGHPI preferences between LMIC and HIC respondents, with a statistically significant difference in VGHPI acceptability (p<0.001). There was no significant difference between groups regarding VGHPIs’ perceived barriers. CONCLUSIONSThe pandemic disrupted essential partnership elements, compounding differences between LMIC and HIC partners in their resources and preferences for partnership activities. VGHPIs have the potential to bridge new and existing gaps and maximize gains, bi-directionality, and equity in partnerships during and after COVID-19.
