Using plant clinic registers to assess the quality of diagnoses and advice given to farmers: a case study from Uganda
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Using plant clinic registers to assess the quality of diagnoses and advice given to farmers : a case study from Uganda. / Danielsen, Solveig; Boa, Eric; Mafabi, Moses; Mutebi, Emmanuel; Reeder, Robert; Kabeere, Flavia; Karyeija, Robert.
I: Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, Bind 19, Nr. 2, 2012, s. 183-201.Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskrift › Tidsskriftartikel › Forskning › fagfællebedømt
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Using plant clinic registers to assess the quality of diagnoses and advice given to farmers
T2 - a case study from Uganda
AU - Danielsen, Solveig
AU - Boa, Eric
AU - Mafabi, Moses
AU - Mutebi, Emmanuel
AU - Reeder, Robert
AU - Kabeere, Flavia
AU - Karyeija, Robert
PY - 2012
Y1 - 2012
N2 - Purpose: This study developed a framework for quality assessment of diagnoses and advice given at plant clinics.Design/methodology/approach: Clinic registers from five plant clinics in Uganda (2006-2010) were used to develop quality assessment protocols for diagnoses and advice given by plant doctors. Assessment of quality of diagnoses was based on five validation criteria applied on the ten mostcommon crops. Quality of advice was assessed for the four major problems considering efficacy and feasibility.Findings: The quality of diagnoses varied between crops, from 68% completely validated in maize to 1% in tomato. Complete and partially validated diagnoses were 44% of all queries. The remaining 56% were rejected. Several basic weaknesses were found in data recording and symptom recognition. A greater consistency and precision in naming diseases would increase the number ofcompletely validated diagnoses. The majority of recommendations (82%) were assessed ‘partially effective’. ‘Best practice’ was recommended for 10% and ineffective advice was given in 8% of the cases with considerable variation between diseases.Practical implications: Plant doctors need more training in symptom recognition, pest management and record keeping as well as better technical backstopping to solve unknown problems. Common standards and procedures for clinic data collection and analysis should be established, and roles and responsibilities clearly defined.Originality/value: This is the first time plant clinic registers have been used to systematically assess quality of plant clinic services. Apart from being a valuable tool for quality assessment of extension, the plant clinic registers constitute a novel source of regular information about pests, diseases and farmer demand that can help improve decision-making of extension service providers, researchers, plant health authorities as well as information and technology providers.
AB - Purpose: This study developed a framework for quality assessment of diagnoses and advice given at plant clinics.Design/methodology/approach: Clinic registers from five plant clinics in Uganda (2006-2010) were used to develop quality assessment protocols for diagnoses and advice given by plant doctors. Assessment of quality of diagnoses was based on five validation criteria applied on the ten mostcommon crops. Quality of advice was assessed for the four major problems considering efficacy and feasibility.Findings: The quality of diagnoses varied between crops, from 68% completely validated in maize to 1% in tomato. Complete and partially validated diagnoses were 44% of all queries. The remaining 56% were rejected. Several basic weaknesses were found in data recording and symptom recognition. A greater consistency and precision in naming diseases would increase the number ofcompletely validated diagnoses. The majority of recommendations (82%) were assessed ‘partially effective’. ‘Best practice’ was recommended for 10% and ineffective advice was given in 8% of the cases with considerable variation between diseases.Practical implications: Plant doctors need more training in symptom recognition, pest management and record keeping as well as better technical backstopping to solve unknown problems. Common standards and procedures for clinic data collection and analysis should be established, and roles and responsibilities clearly defined.Originality/value: This is the first time plant clinic registers have been used to systematically assess quality of plant clinic services. Apart from being a valuable tool for quality assessment of extension, the plant clinic registers constitute a novel source of regular information about pests, diseases and farmer demand that can help improve decision-making of extension service providers, researchers, plant health authorities as well as information and technology providers.
KW - Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
KW - Agricultral extension
KW - Plant clinic
KW - diagnostics
KW - Plant doctors
KW - Quality assessment
KW - Clinic register
U2 - 10.1080/1389224X.2012.741528
DO - 10.1080/1389224X.2012.741528
M3 - Journal article
VL - 19
SP - 183
EP - 201
JO - Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension
JF - Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension
SN - 1389-224X
IS - 2
ER -
ID: 43253430