Institutional capacity to generate and use evidence in LMICs: current state and opportunities for HPSR

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dc.contributor.authorShroff, Zubin Cyrus
dc.contributor.authorJavadi, Dena
dc.contributor.authorGilson, Lucy
dc.contributor.authorKang, Rockie
dc.contributor.authorGhaffar, Abdul
dc.date.accessioned2021-10-08T07:04:12Z
dc.date.available2021-10-08T07:04:12Z
dc.date.issued2017
dc.description.abstractBACKGROUND: Evidence-informed decision-making for health is far from the norm, particularly in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Health policy and systems research (HPSR) has an important role in providing the context-sensitive and -relevant evidence that is needed. However, there remain significant challenges both on the supply side, in terms of capacity for generation of policy-relevant knowledge such as HPSR, and on the demand side in terms of the demand for and use of evidence for policy decisions. This paper brings together elements from both sides to analyse institutional capacity for the generation of HPSR and the use of evidence (including HPSR) more broadly in LMICs. METHODS: The paper uses literature review methods and two survey instruments (directed at research institutions and Ministries of Health, respectively) to explore the types of institutional support required to enhance the generation and use of evidence. RESULTS: Findings from the survey of research institutions identified the absence of core funding, the lack of definitional clarity and academic incentive structures for HPSR as significant constraints. On the other hand, the survey of Ministries of Health identified a lack of locally relevant evidence, poor presentation of research findings and low institutional prioritisation of evidence use as significant constraints to evidence uptake. In contrast, improved communication between researchers and decision-makers and increased availability of relevant evidence were identified as facilitators of evidence uptake. CONCLUSION: The findings make a case for institutional arrangements in research that provide support for career development, collaboration and cross-learning for researchers, as well as the setting up of institutional arrangements and processes to incentivise the use of evidence among Ministries of Health and other decision-making institutions. The paper ends with a series of recommendations to build institutional capacity in HPSR through engaging multiple stakeholders in identifying and maintaining incentive structures, improving research (including HPSR) training, and developing stronger tools for synthesising non-traditional forms of local, policy-relevant evidence such as grey literature. Addressing challenges on both the supply and demand side can build institutional capacity in the research and policy worlds and support the enhanced uptake of high quality evidence in policy decisions.
dc.identifier.apacitationShroff, Z. C., Javadi, D., Gilson, L., Kang, R., & Ghaffar, A. (2017). Institutional capacity to generate and use evidence in LMICs: current state and opportunities for HPSR. <i>Health Research Policy and Systems</i>, 15(1), 174 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34452en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationShroff, Zubin Cyrus, Dena Javadi, Lucy Gilson, Rockie Kang, and Abdul Ghaffar "Institutional capacity to generate and use evidence in LMICs: current state and opportunities for HPSR." <i>Health Research Policy and Systems</i> 15, 1. (2017): 174 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34452en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationShroff, Z.C., Javadi, D., Gilson, L., Kang, R. & Ghaffar, A. 2017. Institutional capacity to generate and use evidence in LMICs: current state and opportunities for HPSR. <i>Health Research Policy and Systems.</i> 15(1):174 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34452en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn1478-4505
dc.identifier.ris TY - Journal Article AU - Shroff, Zubin Cyrus AU - Javadi, Dena AU - Gilson, Lucy AU - Kang, Rockie AU - Ghaffar, Abdul AB - BACKGROUND: Evidence-informed decision-making for health is far from the norm, particularly in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Health policy and systems research (HPSR) has an important role in providing the context-sensitive and -relevant evidence that is needed. However, there remain significant challenges both on the supply side, in terms of capacity for generation of policy-relevant knowledge such as HPSR, and on the demand side in terms of the demand for and use of evidence for policy decisions. This paper brings together elements from both sides to analyse institutional capacity for the generation of HPSR and the use of evidence (including HPSR) more broadly in LMICs. METHODS: The paper uses literature review methods and two survey instruments (directed at research institutions and Ministries of Health, respectively) to explore the types of institutional support required to enhance the generation and use of evidence. RESULTS: Findings from the survey of research institutions identified the absence of core funding, the lack of definitional clarity and academic incentive structures for HPSR as significant constraints. On the other hand, the survey of Ministries of Health identified a lack of locally relevant evidence, poor presentation of research findings and low institutional prioritisation of evidence use as significant constraints to evidence uptake. In contrast, improved communication between researchers and decision-makers and increased availability of relevant evidence were identified as facilitators of evidence uptake. CONCLUSION: The findings make a case for institutional arrangements in research that provide support for career development, collaboration and cross-learning for researchers, as well as the setting up of institutional arrangements and processes to incentivise the use of evidence among Ministries of Health and other decision-making institutions. The paper ends with a series of recommendations to build institutional capacity in HPSR through engaging multiple stakeholders in identifying and maintaining incentive structures, improving research (including HPSR) training, and developing stronger tools for synthesising non-traditional forms of local, policy-relevant evidence such as grey literature. Addressing challenges on both the supply and demand side can build institutional capacity in the research and policy worlds and support the enhanced uptake of high quality evidence in policy decisions. DA - 2017 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town IS - 1 J1 - Health Research Policy and Systems LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PY - 2017 SM - 1478-4505 T1 - Institutional capacity to generate and use evidence in LMICs: current state and opportunities for HPSR TI - Institutional capacity to generate and use evidence in LMICs: current state and opportunities for HPSR UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34452 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/34452
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationShroff ZC, Javadi D, Gilson L, Kang R, Ghaffar A. Institutional capacity to generate and use evidence in LMICs: current state and opportunities for HPSR. Health Research Policy and Systems. 2017;15(1):174 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34452.en_ZA
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.departmentHealth Economics Unit
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Health Sciences
dc.sourceHealth Research Policy and Systems
dc.source.journalissue1
dc.source.journalvolume15
dc.source.pagination174 - 177
dc.source.urihttps://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12961-017-0261-1
dc.subject.otherHealth policy and systems research
dc.subject.otherLow- and middle-income countries
dc.subject.otherInstitutional capacity
dc.subject.otherAlliance for Health Policy and Systems Research
dc.titleInstitutional capacity to generate and use evidence in LMICs: current state and opportunities for HPSR
dc.typeJournal Article
uct.type.publicationResearch
uct.type.resourceJournal Article
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