An integrated knowledge translation (iKT) approach to advancing community-based depression care in Vietnam: lessons from an ongoing research-policy collaboration
Abstract Background Evidence-based mental health policies are key to supporting the expansion of community-based mental health care and are increasingly being developed in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite this, research on the process of mental health policy development in LMICs is l...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-10518-3 |
| _version_ | 1797276656070557696 |
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| author | Jill K. Murphy Leena W. Chau Vu Cong Nguyen Harry Minas Duong Viet Anh John O’Neil |
| author_facet | Jill K. Murphy Leena W. Chau Vu Cong Nguyen Harry Minas Duong Viet Anh John O’Neil |
| author_sort | Jill K. Murphy |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Evidence-based mental health policies are key to supporting the expansion of community-based mental health care and are increasingly being developed in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite this, research on the process of mental health policy development in LMICs is limited. Engagement between researchers and policy makers via an integrated Knowledge Translation (iKT) approach can help to facilitate the process of evidence-based policy making. This paper provides a descriptive case study of a decade-long policy and research collaboration between partners in Vietnam, Canada and Australia to advance mental health policy for community-based depression care in Vietnam. Methods This descriptive case study draws on qualitative data including team meeting minutes, a focus group discussion with research team leaders, and key informant interviews with two Vietnamese policy makers. Our analysis draws on Murphy et al.’s (2021) findings and recommendations related to stakeholder engagement in global mental health research. Results Consistent with Murphy et al.’s findings, facilitating factors across three thematic categories were identified. Related to ‘the importance of understanding context’, engagement between researchers and policy partners from the formative research stage provided a foundation for engagement that aligned with local priorities. The COVID-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst to further advance the prioritization of mental heath by the Government of Vietnam. ‘The nature of engagement’ is also important, with findings demonstrating that long-term policy engagement was facilitated by continuous funding mechanisms that have enabled trust-building and allowed the research team to respond to local priorities over time. ‘Communication and dissemination’ are also crucial, with the research team supporting mental health awareness-raising among policy makers and the community, including via capacity building initiatives. Conclusions This case study identifies factors influencing policy engagement for mental health system strengthening in an LMIC setting. Sustained engagement with policy leaders helps to ensure alignment with local priorities, thus facilitating uptake and scale-up. Funding agencies can play a crucial role in supporting mental health system development through longer term funding mechanisms. Increased research related to the policy engagement process in global mental health will further support policy development and improvement in mental health care in LMICs. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T15:31:20Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0f1f14b0b71f495a9ef627c9cdae0010 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T15:31:20Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-0f1f14b0b71f495a9ef627c9cdae00102024-03-05T16:24:01ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632024-01-0124111710.1186/s12913-023-10518-3An integrated knowledge translation (iKT) approach to advancing community-based depression care in Vietnam: lessons from an ongoing research-policy collaborationJill K. Murphy0Leena W. Chau1Vu Cong Nguyen2Harry Minas3Duong Viet Anh4John O’Neil5Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British ColumbiaFaculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser UniversityInstitute of Population, Health and DevelopmentGlobal and Cultural Mental Health Unit, Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of MelbourneInstitute of Population, Health and DevelopmentFaculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser UniversityAbstract Background Evidence-based mental health policies are key to supporting the expansion of community-based mental health care and are increasingly being developed in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite this, research on the process of mental health policy development in LMICs is limited. Engagement between researchers and policy makers via an integrated Knowledge Translation (iKT) approach can help to facilitate the process of evidence-based policy making. This paper provides a descriptive case study of a decade-long policy and research collaboration between partners in Vietnam, Canada and Australia to advance mental health policy for community-based depression care in Vietnam. Methods This descriptive case study draws on qualitative data including team meeting minutes, a focus group discussion with research team leaders, and key informant interviews with two Vietnamese policy makers. Our analysis draws on Murphy et al.’s (2021) findings and recommendations related to stakeholder engagement in global mental health research. Results Consistent with Murphy et al.’s findings, facilitating factors across three thematic categories were identified. Related to ‘the importance of understanding context’, engagement between researchers and policy partners from the formative research stage provided a foundation for engagement that aligned with local priorities. The COVID-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst to further advance the prioritization of mental heath by the Government of Vietnam. ‘The nature of engagement’ is also important, with findings demonstrating that long-term policy engagement was facilitated by continuous funding mechanisms that have enabled trust-building and allowed the research team to respond to local priorities over time. ‘Communication and dissemination’ are also crucial, with the research team supporting mental health awareness-raising among policy makers and the community, including via capacity building initiatives. Conclusions This case study identifies factors influencing policy engagement for mental health system strengthening in an LMIC setting. Sustained engagement with policy leaders helps to ensure alignment with local priorities, thus facilitating uptake and scale-up. Funding agencies can play a crucial role in supporting mental health system development through longer term funding mechanisms. Increased research related to the policy engagement process in global mental health will further support policy development and improvement in mental health care in LMICs.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-10518-3Global mental healthIntegrated knowledge translationPolicy engagementStakeholder engagementCollaborationCase study |
| spellingShingle | Jill K. Murphy Leena W. Chau Vu Cong Nguyen Harry Minas Duong Viet Anh John O’Neil An integrated knowledge translation (iKT) approach to advancing community-based depression care in Vietnam: lessons from an ongoing research-policy collaboration BMC Health Services Research Global mental health Integrated knowledge translation Policy engagement Stakeholder engagement Collaboration Case study |
| title | An integrated knowledge translation (iKT) approach to advancing community-based depression care in Vietnam: lessons from an ongoing research-policy collaboration |
| title_full | An integrated knowledge translation (iKT) approach to advancing community-based depression care in Vietnam: lessons from an ongoing research-policy collaboration |
| title_fullStr | An integrated knowledge translation (iKT) approach to advancing community-based depression care in Vietnam: lessons from an ongoing research-policy collaboration |
| title_full_unstemmed | An integrated knowledge translation (iKT) approach to advancing community-based depression care in Vietnam: lessons from an ongoing research-policy collaboration |
| title_short | An integrated knowledge translation (iKT) approach to advancing community-based depression care in Vietnam: lessons from an ongoing research-policy collaboration |
| title_sort | integrated knowledge translation ikt approach to advancing community based depression care in vietnam lessons from an ongoing research policy collaboration |
| topic | Global mental health Integrated knowledge translation Policy engagement Stakeholder engagement Collaboration Case study |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-10518-3 |
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