A scoping review of the uses and institutionalisation of knowledge for health policy in low- and middle-income countries

Abstract

There is growing interest in how different forms of knowledge can strengthen policy-making in low-and middleincome country (LMIC) health systems. Additionally, health policy and systems researchers are increasingly aware of the need to design effective institutions for supporting knowledge utilisation in LMICs. To address these interwoven agendas, this scoping review uses the Arskey and O'Malley framework to review the literature on knowledge utilisation in LMIC health systems, using eight public health and social science databases. Articles that described the process for how knowledge was used in policy-making, specified the type of knowledge used, identified actors involved (individual, organisation or professional), and were set in specific LMICs were included. A total of 53 articles, from 1999 to 2016 and representing 56 countries, were identified. The majority of articles in this review presented knowledge utilisation as utilisation of research findings, and to a lesser extent routine health system data, survey data and technical advice. Most of the articles centered on domestic public sector employees and their interactions with civil society representatives, international stakeholders or academics in utilising epistemic knowledge for policy-making in LMICs. Furthermore, nearly all of the articles identified normative dimensions of institutionalisation. While there is some evidence of how different uses and institutionalisation of knowledge can strengthen health systems, the evidence on how these processes can ultimately improve health outcomes remains unclear. Further research on the ways in which knowledge can be effectively utilised and institutionalised is needed to advance the collective understanding of health systems strengthening and enhance evidence-informed policy formulation.

"Not Just a Journal Club – It’s Where the Magic Happens": Knowledge Mobilization through Co-Production for Health System Development in the Western Cape Province, South Africa

“…15 Recent reviews of experience from both LMIC and higher income countries settings have, however, concluded that further research is needed to understand how processes of institutionalizing knowledge use/knowledge mobilization develop over time, as well as to consider their health system and wider impacts. 7,13,16,17 This paper seeks, therefore, to contribute to current literature by describing an experience of knowledge coproduction/mobilization for health system development, from Cape Town, South Africa. An embedded HPSR huba collaboration between 2 universities [2] -was established in 2012 to, amongst other things, draw 'the tacit knowledge of experienced practitioners into the task of better understanding health policy and health systems, and how to strengthen policy implementation and system performance' (CHESAI proposal 2012).…”

“…23,26,28 Although the macro, societal-level impacts of the JC and linked engagements are inevitably harder to discern, it can be argued that they are likely to flow from the sorts of policy and organizational changes initiated within the WCG:H and CityHealth discussed above. 16 JC thinking is also acknowledged by managers as feeding into the wider processes of co-creating organizational and health service re-design (Figure 1), that will have long-lasting impacts on the provincial health system. Similarly, the universities' wider teaching and leadership development activities have potential system impacts and societal level benefits (Box 4).…”

“…It represents a systems' model of knowledge to action, 15 and illustrates how cultural-cognitive factors can support the institutionalization of knowledge use. 16 The long-term and sustained engagement of a central core of managers and academics has, crucially, allowed us to maintain our purpose and focus, even as a wider array of people have shifted in and out of the JC. It has supported the maturation of ideas through cycles of engagement that have spun off into wider conversations and activities.…”

The substantial awareness role of web-based and social media platforms in developing countries during a pandemic scenario: the example of COVID-19

“…This aspect can justify the popularity of some not-for-profit entities as a reliable (public advisory system). 3 In this context, Syria may represent a factual example. The role of non-governmental scientific initiatives in the Middle East was proven, as some of them showed their attractivity in societies which mostly lack public non-political unbiased scientific platforms that may fill the gap between original scientific sources and a non-English speaking population.…”

“…The content was created depending on reliable sources and continuously updated data. 3 Importantly posting short, shareable bullet points was an e ective approach to get massive attention, particularly under quarantine and confinement statues.…”