ABSTRACT
Harnessing the power of research to achieve treatment targets and to build health systems that respond to the broad array of complex health issues requires an innovative approach to gathering and sharing information. Existing, classic methods of research and dissemination of new knowledge, while still necessary, will not be sufficient to achieve these goals. In the short term, new methods of assessing the performance of treatment programmes are essential. So, too, is the rapid sharing of information in order for countries to benefit from the most recent and most relevant experience elsewhere and adapt it to local circumstances. (World Health Organization, 2004, p. 73)
