Methodological Evaluation of Urban Primary Care Networks in Uganda: Estimating Clinical Outcomes Using Panel Data Analysis

Urban primary care networks in Uganda are crucial for delivering essential healthcare services to a growing urban population. However, their effectiveness and clinical outcomes remain under-researched. This study will employ a fixed effects model to analyse longitudinal data from multiple clinics within the network. The model is specified as yᵢₜ = eta₀ + eta₁Yi,t-1 + eta₂Xᵢₜ + uᵢ + eᵢₜ, where Yi,t-1 represents lagged clinical outcomes, and Xᵢₜ includes patient demographics and clinic characteristics. Panel data analysis reveals a significant positive correlation between previous year's clinical outcomes (Yi,t-1) and current year's treatment efficacy (yᵢₜ), indicating that effective interventions in one period enhance future performance. The fixed effects model provides robust estimates of the impact of clinic characteristics on patient outcomes, contributing to evidence-based policy recommendations for improving urban primary care networks in Uganda. Policy-makers should prioritise training and resource allocation at clinics with lower treatment efficacy scores identified through this analysis. Urban Primary Care Networks, Panel Data Analysis, Clinical Outcomes, Fixed Effects Model