Abstract
ObjectiveIn this study, Argentine health researchers were surveyed regarding their perceptions of facilitators and barriers to evidence-based policymaking in Argentina, as well as their publication activities, and research environment satisfaction.MethodsA self-administered online survey was sent to health researchers in Argentina. The survey questions were based on a preceding qualitative study of Argentine health researchers, as well as the scientific literature.ResultsOf the 647 researchers that were reached, 226 accessed the survey, for a response rate of 34.9%. Over 80% of researchers surveyed had never been involved in or contributed to decision-making, while over 90% of researchers indicated they would like to be involved in the decision-making process. Decision-maker self-interest was perceived to be the driving factor in the development of health and healthcare policies. Research conducted by a research leader was seen to be the most influential factor in influencing health policy, followed by policy relevance of the research. With respect to their occupational environment, researchers rated highest and most favourably the opportunities available to present, discuss and publish research results and their ability to further their education and training. Argentine researchers surveyed demonstrated a strong interest and willingness to contribute their work and expertise to inform Argentine health policy development.ConclusionDespite Argentina’s long scientific tradition, there are relatively few institutionalized linkages between health research results and health policymaking. Based on the results of this study, the disconnect between political decision-making and the health research system, coupled with fewer opportunities for formalized or informal researcher/decision-maker interaction, contribute to the challenges in evidence informing health policymaking in Argentina. Improving personal contact and the building of relationships between researchers and policymakers in Argentina will require taking into account researcher perceptions of policymakers, as highlighted in this study.
Highlights
Despite evidence indicating that policymakers and health professionals consider ‘homegrown’ research to have greater weight than research from other countries [1, 2], and despite researchers being influential in reframing the way health policy issues are seen [3] and identified as factors affecting uptake of their research [4], there has been little empirical research in developing countries on the involvement of health researchers in the policy process [5]
In addition to case studies on disease prevention programs[6] and research capacity strengthening [7], past research focussed on developing country health researchers has included studying researchers’ perceptions of community-based research [8, 9] or their perceptions on ethical review of health research, including institutional review boards (IRB) reviews and informed consent [10]
The first study consisted of interviewing policymakers in five low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and one high-income country [16], with a view to better understand their perspectives on the use and impact of research in the health sectors of their respective countries
Summary
Despite evidence indicating that policymakers and health professionals consider ‘homegrown’ research to have greater weight than research from other countries [1, 2], and despite researchers being influential in reframing the way health policy issues are seen [3] and identified as factors affecting uptake of their research [4], there has been little empirical research in developing countries on the involvement of health researchers in the policy process [5]. Lavis et al.’s (2010) and El-Jardali et al.’s (2012) studies are the only other surveys of health researchers in LMICs that have been conducted in the area of knowledge translation. At the time we conducted this research, no published study had explored LMIC country researchers’ perceptions of evidence-based policymaking in their countries, nor what they perceive to be facilitators and barriers to the use of research in decision-making and health policymaking. Challenged by low survey response rates, results indicated that there was a need for clearer theoretical and conceptual delimitations of health systems and services research in Argentina and the other Southern Cone countries. For Latin America in general, and Argentina in particular, there remains a need to develop a greater understanding of the role that health researchers play in research uptake and utilization in policymaking. FISA’s purpose was to generate an environment for discussion of health research priorities in Argentina [15]
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