Editorial
Debates about the extent to which research influences public health policies are well worn. One of the many common complaints from researchers is that findings from scientifically sound research are regularly ignored by policy makers. In turn, policy makers complain that research does not address their problems and issues, and findings are not available timeously.
Can something be done about this? Are there ways of making health research more responsive to the needs of policy makers
and making policy makers more amenable to the needs of researchers? Perhaps the starting point is to pay attention
to the research - policy connection. But, we should be careful not to suggest a linear relationship between the two. We tend to assume that the researchers ask the right questions, plan and conduct research rigorously and disseminate their findings well. On the other hand, we assume that policy makers read research, understand findings and implications and act on the results. In reality, the process is not as straight forward.
Health Systems Research is a discipline which requires continuous interaction between researchers and decision makers.
For it to have greatest impact it needs to have the following characteristics:
Focus - on priority problems which are identified jointly with health managers and policy makers. With this approach research
findings are more likely to have an impact Research as an Instrument for change on decisions which influence activities in the health services.
Action oriented - aiming at developing practical, cost effective solutions or policy options.
Participatory - involves all key players. Involving policy makers increases the probability of utilising findings as the basis
for decision making , while the involvement of researchers strengthen the methodological aspects.
Timely - provides answers on policy options in time. Effective use of simple research designs.
Accessible - results are packaged in an accessible format which avoids jargon
The Health Systems Trust is one of the advocates of Health Systems Research. Annually, the organisation convenes a report
back conference which provides an opportunity for HST funded researchers to present their work to policy makers, health
services managers and colleagues. This months Update reviews some of the work presented at the 1997 conference. We also
took the opportunity to speak to a number of researchers, to get their perspectives on how they think the Research - Policy
connection can be strengthened. Information based decision making is our goal. |
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