Case study: practical tools for improving needs-based health management and technology assessment. The PHC MAP series.

This paper outlines the need for and development of a practical set of tools to improve needs-based health management and technology assessment. International reports have documented the lack of adequate information for the managerial process in primary health care. The components of the Primary Health Care Management Advancement Program (PHC MAP) Series, designed for both manual and computer applications, are described. The series has been widely pretested and is currently being implemented by many government health services and nongovernmental organizations worldwide. Information is included indicating how the PHC MAP materials may be obtained.