Using qualitative methods, this study provides insights on the foundations upon which various recommendations from the literature for improving plant clinics in the global south are based and the practical challenges which test their field applicability. Findings reveal three broad, interlinked, thematic areas - capacity strengthening and stakeholder engagement, digitalisation and technology, and governance and planning. No single recommendation is a cure-all for the challenges that plague plant clinics, but when implemented coherently, the various recommendations have potential to improve plant clinic operations while concurrently strengthening national plant health systems. Policy makers and practitioners should ensure continuous upskilling on plant health of frontline extension agents, while leveraging digital technology and optimising public agricultural extension services. Furthermore, any actions to improve plant clinics must be implemented with a local lens - contextualising them to suit the prevailing socio-cultural context within which plant clinics operate. Future research should focus on ground truthing the various recommended actions to develop actionable solutions for policy makers and plant health practitioners

Keywords: Plant doctor, agricultural advisory services, literature mining, front line extension services