Governance of health research funding institutions: an integrated conceptual framework and actionable functions of governance

Smits, Pernelle; Champagne, François

doi:10.1186/s12961-020-0525-z

Cited by 16 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Other related problems must also be addressed, including gaps in leadership and governance in HPSR, the lack of accountability, and the absence of rule of engagement for both the researchers and decision-makers. These constraints have been documented in other countries as well [22,23,[27][28][29][30][31][32][33].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

"Research ends with publication": A qualitative study on the use of health policy and systems research in Ethiopia

Birhanu

Morankar

Abraham

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Background Decision-making about the design and implementation of health care policies should be supported by research evidence. This article reports on a qualitative study on the experiences of both research institutes and policymakers in Ethiopia in generating and using research evidence to inform health policy decision-making. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted from January through March 2020, with representatives of research institutes and with policymakers in Ethiopia. The data collected during the interviews were analyzed thematically. Results Half of the institutions represented had engaged in health policy and systems research (HPSR). These institutes’ capacities were limited by multiple factors, including unsupportive research environments; the limited number of researchers with extensive experience; high turnover among senior researchers; lack of staff motivation mechanisms; underdeveloped research culture; limited technical and analytical capacity among researchers; lack of core funding for HPSR; ineffective financial management; and, lack of connections with health policy platforms. Research institutes also lacked the capacity in strategic packaging of findings to influence policy decision-making, although some programs have recently improved in this area. Meanwhile, there lacked a culture of using evidence in policymaking settings. In general, we found that policymakers had poor attitudes towards the quality or value of the evidence, and had little capacity to interpret evidence and apply findings to policy options. As a result, much of the research produced by the institutes have only been relevant academically, with little impact on policy. However, respondents reported that the environment is slowly changing, and the recent creation of a Research Advisory Council at the Ministry of Health offers a promising model. Conclusions Despite some recent changes, in Ethiopia researchers and policymakers alike often tend to consider health policy and systems research (HPSR) to be not very valuable since the findings generated are rarely used for evidence-informed policy development. Research institutes and researchers need to strengthen their technical, analytical, and administrative capacities (through, among other efforts, seeking more funding for research, and better incentives to attract, retain and build skills among qualified researchers); they also need to improve their understanding of the evidence-to-policy cycle and how to engage effectively with policymakers.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

"Research ends with publication": A qualitative study on the use of health policy and systems research in Ethiopia

Birhanu

Morankar

Abraham

et al. 2021

Preprint

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“…Research organizations, including funders, universities and ethics committees, have a critical role, because they provide the authorizing environment, resources and processes that enable culturally competent health research to occur [ 51 ]. In the field, additional time and resources are usually required to undertake research that addresses the elements of this framework.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A framework for preferred practices in conducting culturally competent health research in a multicultural society

Woodland

Blignault

O’Callaghan

et al. 2021

Health Res Policy Sys

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Background Improving the health and well-being of the whole population requires that health inequities be addressed. In an era of unprecedented international migration, meeting the health care needs of growing multicultural or multiethnic societies presents major challenges for health care systems and for health researchers. Considerable literature exists on the methodological and ethical difficulties of conducting research in a cross-cultural context; however, there is a need for a framework to guide health research in multicultural societies. Methods The framework was informed by “research on research” that we have undertaken in community and primary health care settings in Sydney, Australia. Case studies are presented as illustrative examples. Results We present a framework for preferred practices in conducting health research that is culturally informed, high-quality, safe, and actionable. Conclusions The framework is not intended to be universal, however many of its aspects will have relevance for health research generally. Application of the framework for preferred practices could potentially make health research more culturally competent, thus enabling enhanced policies, programmes and practices to better meet population health needs. The framework needs to be further tested and refined in different contexts.

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“…Articles on the main components of a NHRS were supplemented by some important papers on topics that are highly relevant but which feature less frequently in HARPS. These include a study aimed at reducing the research waste that arises from disproportionate regulation by examining the practices for exempting low-risk research from ethics review in four high-income countries [71], the Global Observatory's paper on research funding described earlier [29], a study on the governance of national health research funding institutions [72], and one on a more recent topic of growing significancean analysis of attempts to boost gender equality in health research [73]. Additionally, some of the papers on specific components, such as impact evaluation or use of evidence, are extending the analysis.…”

Section: Whose Literature?mentioning

confidence: 99%

How to strengthen a health research system: WHO’s review, whose literature and who is providing leadership?

Hanney

Kanya

Pokhrel

et al. 2020

Health Res Policy Sys

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Background: Health research is important for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. However, there are many challenges facing health research, including securing sufficient funds, building capacity, producing research findings and using both local and global evidence, and avoiding waste. A WHO initiative addressed these challenges by developing a conceptual framework with four functions to guide the development of national health research systems. Despite some progress, more is needed before health research systems can meet their full potential of improving health systems. The WHO Regional Office for Europe commissioned an evidence synthesis of the systems-level literature. This Opinion piece considers its findings before reflecting on the vast additional literature available on the range of specific health research system functions related to the various challenges. Finally, it considers who should lead research system strengthening. Main text: The evidence synthesis identifies two main approaches for strengthening national health research systems, namely implementing comprehensive and coherent strategies and participation in partnerships. The literature describing these approaches at the systems level also provides data on ways to strengthen each of the four functions of governance, securing financing, capacity-building, and production and use of research. Countries effectively implementing strategies include England, Ireland and Rwanda, whereas West Africa experienced effective partnerships. Recommended policy approaches for system strengthening are context specific. The vast literature on each function and the ever-growing evidence-base are illustrated by considering papers in just one key journal, Health Research Policy and Systems, and analysing the contribution of two national studies. A review of the functions of the Iranian system identifies over 200 relevant and mostly national records; an analysis of the creation of the English National Institute for Health Research describes the key leadership role played by the health department. Furthermore, WHO is playing leadership roles in helping coordinate partnerships within and across health research systems that have been attempting to tackle the COVID-19 crisis. Conclusions: The evidence synthesis provides a firm basis for decision-making by policy-makers and research leaders looking to strengthen national health research systems within their own national context. It identifies five crucial policy approachesconducting situation analysis, sustaining a comprehensive strategy, engaging stakeholders, evaluating impacts on health systems, and partnership participation. The vast and ever-growing additional literature could provide further perspectives, including on crucial leadership roles for health ministries.

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Governance of health research funding institutions: an integrated conceptual framework and actionable functions of governance

Cited by 16 publications

References 24 publications

"Research ends with publication": A qualitative study on the use of health policy and systems research in Ethiopia

"Research ends with publication": A qualitative study on the use of health policy and systems research in Ethiopia

A framework for preferred practices in conducting culturally competent health research in a multicultural society

How to strengthen a health research system: WHO’s review, whose literature and who is providing leadership?

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