Views of health system policymakers on the role of research in health policymaking in Israel

Abstract

BackgroundThe use of research evidence in health policymaking is an international challenge. Health systems, including that of Israel, are usually characterized by scarce resources and the necessity to make rapid policy decisions. Knowledge transfer and exchange (KTE) has emerged as a paradigm to start bridging the “know-do” gap. The purpose of this study was to explore the views of health system policymakers and senior executives involved in the policy development process in Israel regarding the role of health systems and policy research (HSPR) in health policymaking, the barriers and facilitators to the use of evidence in the policymaking process, and suggestions for improving the use of HSPR in the policymaking process.MethodsA survey and an interview were verbally administered in a single face-to-face meeting with health system policymakers and senior executives involved in the policy development process in Israel. The data collection period was from July to October 2014. The potential participants included members of Knesset, officials from Israel’s Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, health services organizations, and other stakeholder organizations (i.e., National Insurance Institute). The close-ended questions were based on previous surveys that had been conducted in this field. Interviews were tape recorded and transcribed. Descriptive statistics were conducted for close ended survey-questions and thematic analysis was conducted for open-ended interview questions.ResultsThere were 32 participants in this study. Participants felt that the use of HSPR helps raise awareness on policy issues, yet the actual use of HSPR was hindered for many reasons. Facilitators do exist to support the use of HSPR in the policymaking process, such as a strong foundation of relationships between researchers and policymakers. However, many barriers exist such as the lack of relevance and timeliness of much of the currently available research to support decision-making and the paucity of funding to support research use. Suggestions to improve the use of HSPR focused on improving dissemination of research findings and ensuring that the research was more relevant and timely.ConclusionsThis research demonstrated that health systems policymakers in Israel perceive having strong relationships and collaborations with researchers however there is room for improvement, e.g. partnering in research projects to ensure relevance and use. Furthermore, health system policymakers seem to be interested in receiving relevant research in a more useable format and are open to using research in decision making.

A Qualitative Assessment of the Evidence Utilization for Health Policy-Making on the Basis of SUPPORT Tools in a Developing Country

“… 28 Most participants in the study conducted by Ellen et al also believed that the available research evidences are not usually relevant to the policy issues. 16 Some of the participants in the study of El-Jardali et al stated that the available research evidences do not provide sufficient information on the effects and costs of policy options. 9 Moreover, most participants in the study of Hyder et al pointed out that the researchers in developing countries are not capable enough to conduct health-policy-related research.…”

“…They also believed that a specific research is better than general one. 16 The participants of the study of El-Jardali et al study emphasized the necessity of training the policy-makers on the methods of acquisition, assessment, and adaptation of policy options. 9 One of the tools in SUPPORT deals with the assessment of local applicability of the systematic review findings in different settings and poses various questions about the possibility of their use in the local context such as the similarities of the findings in different contexts, the effect of on-the-ground realities and constraints on the feasibility of interventions, the effect of different arrangements of health system on the effectiveness of interventions, and the effect of baseline conditions on the absolute effects of the interventions.…”

“…The participants in the study of El-Jardali et al also stated that the majority of studies do not contain actionable messages. 9 , 16 …”

“…15 Some recent studies have addressed the attitudes and perceptions of health policy-makers on the utilization of evidence in policy-making. 9 , 16 , 17 …”

Multi-disciplinary patient-centered model for the expedited provision of costly therapies in community settings: the case of new medication for hepatitis C

“…In a study of early users of OMB/PTV/r + DSV in MHS in 2015, SVR rates similar to clinical trials (>90%) were observed in the real-world setting, including among patients with cirrhosis and comorbidities [ 14 ]. In this respect, the experience of MHS with this model of HCV treatment delivery will continue to be evaluated in parallel to real-world HCV patient outcomes in order to monitor long-term outcomes, inform data-driven decisions, and improve knowledge transfer and exchange [ 15 ]. Currently, patients who do not meet eligibility criteria of the national basket of health services may receive DAA therapy through complementary insurance with the health plans, and while these different pathways exist the very small number of patients taking advantage of this option indicates that it is important to apply a similar model to ensure equitable access and quality of care for all patients.…”