Individual and institutional capacity-building for evidence-informed health policy-making in Iran: a mix of local and global evidence

Abstract

Background Providing valid evidence to policy-makers is a key factor in the development of evidence-informed policy-making (EIPM). This study aims to review interventions used to promote researchers’ and knowledge-producing organizations’ knowledge and skills in the production and translation of evidence to policy-making and explore the interventions at the individual and institutional level in the Iranian health system to strengthen EIPM. Methods The study was conducted in two main phases: a systematic review and a qualitative study. First, to conduct the systematic review, the PubMed and Scopus databases were searched. Quality appraisal was done using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklists. Second, semi-structured interviews and document review were used to collect local data. Purposive sampling was used and continued until data saturation. A qualitative content analysis approach was used for data analysis. Results From a total of 11,514 retrieved articles, 18 papers were eligible for the analysis. Based on the global evidence, face-to-face training workshops for researchers was the most widely used intervention for strengthening researchers’ capacity regarding EIPM. Target audiences in almost all of the training programmes were researchers. Setting up joint training sessions that helped empower researchers in understanding the needs of health policy-makers had a considerable effect on strengthening EIPM. Based on the local collected evidence, the main interventions for individual and institutional capacity-building were educational and training programmes or courses related to the health system, policy-making and policy analysis, and research cycle management. To implement the individual and institutional interventions, health system planners and authorities and the community were found to have a key role as facilitating factors. Conclusion The use of evidence-based interventions for strengthening research centres, such as training health researchers on knowledge translation and tackling institutional barriers that can prevent well-trained researchers from translating their knowledge, as well as the use of mechanisms and networks for effective interactions among policy-makers at the macro and meso (organizational) level and the research centre, will be constructive for individual and institutional capacity-building. The health system needs to strengthen its strategic capacity to facilitate an educational and training culture in order to motivate researchers in producing appropriate evidence for policy-makers.

Faculty members as academic knowledge brokers in Iran's health sector: a social network analysis study

“…According to Doshmangir et al, to ensure the successful implementation of EIPM, knowledge-generating organizations should pay special attention to knowledge management and organizational communication management, and increase their communication with their audience, including decision-makers and policymakers. In this regard, removing institutional barriers and using mechanisms and networks for effective interaction between producers and users of knowledge at macro and intermediate (organizational) levels will be effective for individual and institutional capacity building [ 23 ]. Accordingly, creating opportunities for formal and informal interaction, encouraging researchers and policymakers in organizations, and giving organizational support to faculty members willing to interact with policymakers can increase the role of universities of medical sciences and, consequently health research in EIPM.…”

“…Studies conducted in the field of EIPM in Iran have often evaluated the impact of health research [ 21 ], obstacles and challenges of EIPM [ 22 ], and strategies to strengthen EIPM [ 13 , 14 , 17 , 23 ]. All these studies have emphasized the lack of communication and mutual trust between researchers and policymakers and the need to strengthen the interaction between these two groups.…”

Policy analysis of the protection of Iranian households against catastrophic health expenditures: a qualitative analysis

“…Also, high-quality scientific evidence didn't use in policy-making and problem-solving. According to the evidence the development and implementation of the Health Transformation Plan (HTP), one of the most important national health action plan in Iran, has many challenges in its continuity as was not based on scientific evidence [ 39 , 40 ]. Another study shows that the Healthy China 2030 Plan that set targets for the percentage of the OOP payment in total health expenditure to monitor the level of health financial risk protection had many challenges as was not based on scientific evidence [ 41 ].…”

Teacher solidity in the digital age and its effect on the effectiveness of primary school management

“…National education requires the quality of institutions at every level. The quality of the educational institution requires the effectiveness of management [1] at all levels including primary schools [2]. Achieving quality education management requires good planning, supervision and evaluation [3]; elementary school should go as it should.…”