Faculty A-Z

Maisam Najafizada

Associate Professor of Health Policy
MA, PhD (University of Ottawa), MD (Balkh University, Afghanistan)


Division of Population Health and Applied Health Sciences

Phone:
709 864-3376

Email:
mnajafizada[at]mun.ca

Address:
Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland 300 Prince Philip Drive St. John's, Newfoundland, CANADA | A1B 3V6

Areas of Research Interest

  • Primary Health Care
  • Complex Adaptive and Learning Health Systems
  • Human Resources for Health
  • Global Health
  • International Comparison of Health (Care) Systems
  • Health Policy Analysis

Current Research Projects

Understanding the complexities of implementing team-based primary care          

The Family Care Teams (FCT) project focuses on developing and evaluating team-based primary care models in Newfoundland and Labrador. This research examines the integration of Family Care Teams, emphasizing collaborative care that includes diverse healthcare professionals working together to improve patient outcomes. By applying systems thinking methodologies, the goal is to enhance the accessibility and quality of primary care by leveraging teamwork, coordination, and shared decision-making. By understanding the implementation and outcomes of FCTs, this project aims to provide insights into best practices for optimizing primary care delivery in the region.        

Unraveling the Complexities of Healthcare for New Refugees in Newfoundland and Labrador

This project focuses on identifying and addressing the challenges refugees face in accessing healthcare. Using the Functional Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM), a systems approach, the research examines how various factors, such as social, cultural, and systemic influences, interact and impact healthcare delivery for refugees. The study aims to map these complexities to understand barriers and facilitators in healthcare access and propose solutions to improve care delivery. By providing insights into the unique healthcare needs of refugees, the project seeks to enhance health outcomes and foster a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system in the region.

Courses Taught:

Graduate Courses
MED6288 Policy and Decision-Making
MED6721 Disease and Injury Prevention
MED6220 Introduction to Community Health
MED6293 Knowledge Transfer and Research Uptake

Medical School Undergraduate Courses
MED5470 Community Engagement I
MED6780 Community Engagement II

Selected Publications

1. Najafizada, M., Rahman, A., Donnan, J., Dong, Z., Bishop, L. (2022,) Analyzing sentiments and themes on cannabis in Canada using 2018 to 2020 Twitter data. Journal of Cannabis Research, 4,22. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-022-00132-1

2. Bishop LD; Drakes DH; Donnan JR; Rowe EC; Najafizada(2022) Exploring youths’ cannabis health literacy post legalization: A qualitative study. Journal of Adolescent Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/07435584221118380

3. Donnan, O. Shogan, L. Bishop, M. Najafizada. (2022). Drivers of purchase decisions for cannabis products among consumers in a legalized market: A qualitative study. BMC Public Health. 22(368). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-12399-9

4. Najafizada, M., Rahman, A. & Oxford, K. (2021) Analyzing models of patient-centered care in Canada through a scoping review and environmental scan. J Public Health (Berl.)(2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-021-01528-8

5. Najafizada et al. (2021) Social determinants of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: A scoping review and research gaps. Indian Journal of Infectious Disease. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijtb.2020.09.016

6. Sheppard, G, … Najafizada, M (2021). The prevalence and patterns of use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in Newfoundland and Labrador. Canadian Journal of Rural Medicine. 4103/cjrm.cjrm_61_20

7. Najafizada M, Potter B, Bourgeault IL, Labonte R. (2019). Maternal and child health performance of a national CHW program using large administrative databases: a quantitative case study of Afghanistan. J Glob Health Rep 2019; 3: e2019061.

8. Razzaq, S. Najafizada, et al. (2019). National level preparedness for implementing the health-related SDGs in Seven South Asian Countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Global Policy. doi:1111/1758-5899.12753

9. Najafizada, M., Labonté, R. & Bourgeault, I.L. (2019) HRH dimensions of community health workers: a case study of rural Afghanistan. Hum Resour Health17, 12 doi:10.1186/s12960-019-0347-7

10. Cometto, G.,.. Najafizada et al. (2018). Health policy and system support to optimise community health worker programmes: an abridged WHO guideline. The Lancet Global Health, (18), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30482-0

11. Najafizada, M., Bourgeault, I.L., Labonté, R. (2019). A gender analysis of a national Community Health Workers program: a case study of Afghanistan. Global Public Health, 14(1), 23-36. DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2018.1471515

12. Najafizada, et al. (2017). Ranked performance of Canada’s health system on the international stage: A scoping review. Healthcare Policy, 13(1): 59-73. Available at http://www.longwoods.com/content/25191

13. Najafizada, S.A.M., Labonte, R., Bourgeault, I.L. (2017). Considering social determinants of maternal health in Afghanistan: A narrative review. Central Asian Journal of Global Health, 6(1). Available at http://dx.doi.org/10.5195/cajgh.2017.240

14. Najafizada, S.A.M., Cohen, M. (2017). Community-entrepreneurship tackling poverty in Bamyan Province, Afghanistan. World Development Perspective. 5. 24-26. Available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wdp.2017.02.003

15. Najafizada, S.A.M., Labonte, R., Bourgeault, I.L. (2017). Stakeholder’s perspective: Sustainability of a community health worker program in Afghanistan. Evaluation and Program Planning. 60. 123-129. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2016.11.004

16. Najafizada, et al. (2015). The role of Community Health Workers in Canada and some other HICS: a scoping review. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 106(3), e157-e164 doi: 10.17269/CJPH.106.4747

17. Azimi, M. D., Najafizada S.A.M, Khaing, I.K., Hamajima, N. (2015) Factors Influencing Non-institutional Deliveries in Afghanistan: Secondary Analysis of the Afghanistan Mortality Survey 2010. Nagoya Journal of medical Science. 77, 133-43

18. Najafizada, S.A.M., Labonte, R., Bourgeault. I. L. (2014) Community health workers of Afghanistan: a qualitative study of a national program. Conflict and Health, 8:26 doi:10.1186/1752-1505-8-26

Reports & policy papers

  1. Donnan J., Bishop L., Najafizada M., and Humphries, D. (Oct 2020) Newfoundland and Labrador Cannabis Policy Evaluation: Needs Assessment Workshop, Fall 2020. Cannabis Policy Evaluation Needs Assessment Workshop, St. John's, NL, Canada. Available at: https://www.mun.ca/pharmacy/research/cannabiseval/PCPE_NL_Handbook_-_Web.pdf
  2. Najafizada, S.A.M. (2018). Policy research institutions and the health SDGs: building momentum in South Asia - country report, Afghanistan. IDRC Library. Available at http://hdl.handle.net/10625/57091
  3. Najafizada, S.A.M, Cohen, M. (2017, July). Alleviating poverty through social entrepreneurship. Mountain Society Research. Available at http://www.ucentralasia.org/Content/downloads/alleviating_poverty_through_social_entrepreneurship.pdf
  4. Cohen, D., ... Najafizada, S.A.M. (2016). Canada’s International Health System Performance Over 50 Years. Canadian Institute for Health Information. Available at

Popular media articles and blogs

  1. Najafizada, M, Peterson B, Donnan J, Bishop L, Brennan S. (7 March 2021) Cannabis education should aim to normalize — not prevent — safe and legal use. The Conversation. Available at: https://theconversation.com/cannabis-education-should-aim-to-normalize-not-prevent-safe-and-legal-use-153966
  2. Najafizada, M. (2019, Sep) Universal health coverage alone won’t radically improve global health. The Conversation. Available at https://theconversation.com/universal-health-coverage-alone-wont-radically-improve-global-health-122692
  3. Najafizada, M, Peterson B, Donnan J, Bishop L, Brennan S. (7 March 2021) Cannabis education should aim to normalize — not prevent — safe and legal use. The Conversation. Available at: https://theconversation.com/cannabis-education-should-aim-to-normalize-not-prevent-safe-and-legal-use-153966
  4. Najafizada, M. (2019, Sep) Universal health coverage alone won’t radically improve global health. The Conversation. Available at https://theconversation.com/universal-health-coverage-alone-wont-radically-improve-global-health-122692
  5. Najafizada, et al. (2019, Aug) #HelloMyNameIs: A simple act to improve patients’ experiences of care. The Conversation. Available at https://theconversation.com/hellomynameis-a-simple-act-to-improve-patients-experiences-of-care-121082
  6. Najafizada, S.A.M. Sunisha, N. Roenne, F. (2018, Dec). Leaving-no-one-behind conveys a paternalistic approach to development. The Conversation. Available at https://theconversation.com/leaving-no-one-behind-conveys-a-paternalistic-approach-to-development-107322
  7. Najafizada, S.A.M. (2018, Sep). Women health-care volunteers have no upward mobility. The Conversation. Available at https://theconversation.com/women-health-care-volunteers-have-no-upward-mobility-101781
  8. Najafizada, S.A.M. (2018, Jan). Sexual assault and the princess industry are all part of the same system. The Conversation. Available at https://theconversation.com/sexual-assault-and-the-princess-industry-are-all-part-of-the-same-system-89839
  9. Najafizada, M. (2017, Dec). Three challenges for Afghanistan’s Sustainable Development Goals adoption. Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit. Available at https://areu.org.af/three-challenges-for-afghanistans-sustainable-development-goals-adoption/
  10. Najafizada, S.A.M. (2017, Aug). Fee-for-service—a bold measure by the Afghan health ministry. BMJ Global Health Blogs. Available at http://blogs.bmj.com/bmjgh/2017/08/29/fee-for-service-a-bold-measure-by-the-afghan-health-ministry/
  11. Najafizada, S.A.M (2016, Dec). Health, treatment, and the problem of privatization in Afghanistan. BBC Persian. Available at http://www.bbc.com/persian/blogs-38718124
  12. Najafizada, S.A.M (2014, Dec). Entrepreneurship and Sustainability in Bamyan. Weblog of the Journal of Sustainability: Science, Practice, & Policy. Guest Blog. Available at http://ssppjournal.blogspot.ca/2014/12/entrepreneurship-and-sustainability-in.html
  13. Najafizada, S.A.M (2009, Feb). Afghanistan: Education in a war zone. Open Society Foundation. Available at https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/voices/afghanistan-education-war-zone
  14. Najafizada, S.A.M (2014, Dec). Entrepreneurship and Sustainability in Bamyan. Weblog of the Journal of Sustainability: Science, Practice, & Policy. Guest Blog. Available at http://ssppjournal.blogspot.ca/2014/12/entrepreneurship-and-sustainability-in.html
  15. Najafizada, S.A.M (2009, Feb). Afghanistan: Education in a war zone. Open Society Foundation. Available at https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/voices/afghanistan-education-war-zone