Introduction to the PATHS Tool
The Pathways to Survival (PATHS) Tool, as presented in the research by Rudan et al., is an innovative epidemiological model designed to map the complexities of survival and mortality, particularly in low-resource settings. By using decision trees, expert opinion, and available evidence, the PATHS Tool visualizes the "architecture" of mortality, providing insights into how initially healthy individuals progress through health systems to potential lethal outcomes. This tool is especially relevant for practitioners aiming to improve their skills in understanding and addressing the pathways leading to mortality, particularly in neonatal care.
Application of the PATHS Tool in Practice
The PATHS Tool offers a structured approach to analyzing the factors contributing to neonatal mortality, such as newborn sepsis. By following a cohort of 136 million newborns and the 907,000 estimated deaths from sepsis in 2008, the tool provides a comprehensive model that practitioners can use to assess the impact of various interventions at different levels of health systems. This model emphasizes the importance of both horizontal and vertical components in tracking neonates through their first 28 days of life and categorizing them based on health system interventions.
Key Insights for Practitioners
Practitioners can leverage the PATHS Tool to enhance their understanding of the following:
- Diagnostic Innovations: The tool highlights the potential of novel diagnostic tests to save lives, emphasizing the need for continued investment in improving their validity, deliverability, and affordability.
- Contextual Improvements: The PATHS Tool demonstrates that diagnostic advancements must be coupled with contextual improvements, such as parental education, community health worker (CHW) empowerment, and enhanced access to primary and secondary health care.
- Care-Seeking Behavior: Programs aimed at improving care-seeking behavior, such as conditional cash transfers, can significantly impact mortality reduction.
Encouraging Further Research and Application
The PATHS Tool not only provides a framework for understanding mortality pathways but also encourages practitioners to engage in further research and application. By exploring the tool's decision trees and modifying parameters based on specific contexts, practitioners can tailor interventions to maximize their impact on reducing neonatal mortality.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Using evidence, expert opinion and epidemiological model to understand pathways to survival and mortality: The Pathways to Survival (PATHS) Tool.
