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Policy Options for Strengthening Evidence-Informed Health Policy-Making in Iran: Overall Sasha Project Findings Publisher Pubmed



Majdzadeh R1 ; Sajadi HS2 ; Yazdizadeh B3 ; Doshmangir L4 ; Ehsanichimeh E5 ; Mahdavi M5 ; Mehrdad N6, 7 ; Lavis J8, 9 ; Nikooee S3 ; Mohtasham F3 ; Mohseni M3 ; Akbari P3 ; Asgardoon MH3 ; Rezaei N10 Show All Authors
Authors
  1. Majdzadeh R1
  2. Sajadi HS2
  3. Yazdizadeh B3
  4. Doshmangir L4
  5. Ehsanichimeh E5
  6. Mahdavi M5
  7. Mehrdad N6, 7
  8. Lavis J8, 9
  9. Nikooee S3
  10. Mohtasham F3
  11. Mohseni M3
  12. Akbari P3
  13. Asgardoon MH3
  14. Rezaei N10
  15. Neyazi N11, 12
  16. Ghaffarifar S13
  17. Haghdoost AA14
  18. Khodayarizarnaq R4
  19. Mosadeghrad AM15
  20. Pourabbasi A7
  21. Rafinejad J16
  22. Toyserkanamanesh R17

Source: Health Research Policy and Systems Published:2022


Abstract

Background: The institutionalization of evidence-informed health policy-making (EIHP) is complex and complicated. It is complex because it has many players and is complicated because its institutionalization will require many changes that will be challenging to make. Like many other issues, strengthening EIHP needs a road map, which should consider challenges and address them through effective, harmonized and contextualized strategies. This study aims to develop a road map for enhancing EIHP in Iran based on steps of planning. Methods: This study consisted of three phases: (1) identifying barriers to EIHP, (2) recognizing interventions and (3) measuring the use of evidence in Iran's health policy-making. A set of activities was established for conducting these, including foresight, systematic review and policy dialogue, to identify the current and potential barriers for the first phase. For the second phase, an evidence synthesis was performed through a scoping review, by searching the websites of benchmark institutions which had good examples of EIHP practices in order to extract and identify interventions, and through eight policy dialogues and two broad opinion polls to contextualize the list of interventions. Simultaneously, two qualitative-quantitative studies were conducted to design and use a tool for assessing EIHP in the third phase. Results: We identified 97 barriers to EIHP and categorized them into three groups, including 35 barriers on the “generation of evidence” (push side), 41 on the “use of evidence” (pull side) and 21 on the “interaction between these two” (exchange side). The list of 41 interventions identified through evidence synthesis and eight policy dialogues was reduced to 32 interventions after two expert opinion polling rounds. These interventions were classified into four main strategies for strengthening (1) the education and training system (6 interventions), (2) the incentives programmes (7 interventions), (3) the structure of policy support organizations (4 interventions) and (4) the enabling processes to support EIHP (15 interventions). Conclusion: The policy options developed in the study provide a comprehensive framework to chart a path for strengthening the country’s EIHP considering both global practices and the context of Iran. It is recommended that operational plans be prepared for road map interventions, and the necessary resources provided for their implementation. The implementation of the road map will require attention to the principles of good governance, with a focus on transparency and accountability. [MediaObject not available: see fulltext.] © 2022, The Author(s).
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