Understanding the concept and importance of the health research system in Palestine: a qualitative study

Abstract

BackgroundThe importance of a health research system (HRS), namely an instrument for developing and enabling health systems, is increasing, particularly in developing countries. Assessing the perceptions of system performers is a necessary part of system analysis, which seeks to recognize a system’s strengths and limitations aiming towards improvement. This study assesses the perceptions of policy-makers, academicians and experts regarding the HRS concept and its importance to generate insights for system strengthening. In Palestine, HRS is just emerging, helping to address the many public health-related challenges faced by the country.MethodsThe study was implemented from January until July 2016, targeting three sectors, namely relevant government institutions, schools of public health, and major local and international health agencies. Data was collected through 52 in-depth interviews and six focus group discussions (FGDs) with policy-makers, academics, directors and experts. Participants and institutions were selected based on stated criteria and peer review. Data were translated, transcribed, checked and then imported to a software program (MAXQDA 12) for thematic and content analysis.ResultsA total of 104 experts participated, wherein 52 were interviewed and 52 participated in the six FGDs. The HRS concept, as defined by WHO, was conceptualized differently among participants with unclear delineations between various components. Inconsistencies appeared when participants attempted to conceptualize HRS in broader contexts, though HRS goals and functions were sufficiently delineated. The majority of participants agreed that HRS correlates with notions of ‘improvement’ and recognized HRS ‘as a significant gain’. Neglect of HRS was perceived as a big loss.ConclusionsThe study revealed that the level of understanding of HRS among health experts in Palestine is inadequate and not sufficiently conceptualized for its application. Findings also underlined the need to establish a central governance coordination body that promotes HRS understanding, awareness and culture as an enabler for HRS strengthening.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12961-018-0315-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Health Research Capacities in Palestine: High-quality and Proper Knowledge Transfer and Translation for Sound Decision-making

“…These frameworks serve as a basis for understanding HSs through a wide-range analysis [11][12][13] and strengthening these capacities from a system-wide approach, as other similar studies showed [14][15][16][17]. Evaluating and strengthening the capacities of a HRS is essential to improve health outcomes and address global health challenges not only in developing countries but also worldwide [14,18].…”

A vision to strengthen resources and capacity of the Palestinian health research system: a qualitative assessment

“…The responses covered the findings in three key areas. Apart from the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants that were previously presented in other relevant published (7)(8)(9) and in press studies, two other areas were as follows: 1) the overall existing situation, limiting, and facilitating factors of human resources, infrastructure, and facilities of the HRS; and 2)The scene of HRS financing, sources, gaps, and best solutions for optimization. HRS human resources and infrastructure and HR financing are the main two findings that the current study focuses on.…”

“…Perceptions of participants from three sectors in Palestine -the government, academia, and local and international Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) -were investigated. The approaches of collecting, managing, and analysing data through conducting 52 in-depth interviews (IDIs) and 6 focus group discussions (FGDs) were also typically adopted and used in previous similar studies in Palestine (7)(8)(9).…”

“…This is certainly emphasized by the World Health Organization (WHO), which urges that mobilizing and sustaining the sufficient resources and required potentials (2) are important to generate high-quality knowledge to support evidence-informed decision-making (3). HRSRIC should be considered in any attempt to analyse the HRS, and this is clearly and fundamentally featured in conceptual HRS frameworks that help in better system understanding through a wide-range analysis approach (4)(5)(6), as other similar studies found (7)(8)(9). These frameworks portrayed the HRS fabric, including HRSRIC, which forms a solid base and an imperative priority for any HR advancement.…”

Mapping stakeholders of the Palestinian Health Research System: a qualitative study

“…The study targeted a diverse group of stakeholders including experts, policy-makers, academics, and directors from the three relevant Palestinian sectors: government, academia, and local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The methods of data collection, management and analysis were similar to other national studies (18,19). Data were collected through 52 in-depth interviews (IDIs) and 6 focus group discussions (FGDs) and then analysed using MAXQDA 12 software (VERBI GmbH, Berlin, Germany).…”