10-8
Forms for keeping records
Some programs use forms for keeping patient records and for making daily,
weekly, or monthly reports on health activities and health-related events
(births, deaths, and epidemics). A few simple forms may be useful. But
many programs require health workers to fill out a ridiculous number of forms.
Remember, for health workers with little formal education, filling out a lot of
forms can be even more painful than it is for those of us who have had more
schooling.
When considering what forms to use in your program, it helps to ask yourselves:
• For whom is the information being collected?
• How will the records be used?
• Could the health workers’ time be better spent?
• Will the health workers see any value to filling out the form, and be concerned
with accuracy?
• Is the form short and easy to use?
If the information being collected is of obvious importance to the health workers
and their communities, then it is probably reasonable to use the form. Otherwise,
seriously consider whether that form is really needed.
Be sure that during training the health workers practice filling out the
forms they will later be using. But do not spend too much time on this.
Remember. . .
KEEP FORMS FEW AND SIMPLE.
Simple forms can be helpful for keeping patient records, or records of a sick
person from one visit to the next. Examples of forms that can be used for patient
records are shown in Where There Is No Doctor. In Chapter 21 of this book we
give ideas for role plays and other ways of teaching about the use of these forms.
PATIENT REPORT, for sending for medical help................................WTND, p. 44
RECORD OF PRENATAL CARE, for pregnant women......................WTND, p. 253
CHILD HEALTH CHART, for children under 5....................................WTND, p. 298
Monthly report forms are useful for self-evaluation, and provide an ongoing
record of activities in a community. They can be reviewed by both the village health
committee and the adviser. The form should emphasize preventive and educational
activities, to encourage the health worker to organize and carry out such activities
each month. Compare the 2 sample forms on the following pages.