SMART guidelines and digital adaptation kits (DAKs)

Although WHO produces evidence-based guidelines for driving the standard of care, these are often only available in a narrative format that is not readily able to be used within a digital system. Consequently, the translation of guidelines for digital systems often results in a subjective interpretation by implementers and software developers. To ensure countries can effectively benefit from investments in digital systems, “digital adaptation kits” are designed to ensure WHO’s evidence-based guideline content is accurately reflected in the systems countries are adopting.

DAKs are part of the suite of resources within the SMART Guidelines initiative which empowers countries to integrate recommended clinical and public health practices, and data recommendations into digital systems. They distill WHO guidelines and operational resources into a standardized format that can be more easily incorporated into digital tracking and decision support systems.

Digital adaptation kits provide a common language across various audiences: health programme managers, software developers, and implementers of digital systems to ensure a common understanding of the appropriate health information content within a defined health programme area, as mechanism to catalyse the effective use of these digital systems.

Digital adaptation kits across sexual and reproductive health (SRH)

Digital adaptation kits have been developed across range of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) areas, and have since expanded to new domains including immunization and tuberculosis. HRP is currently leading implementation research on their impact to strengthen service delivery and national digital health systems.