Examining and Contextualizing Approaches to Establish Policy Support Organizations – A Mixed Method Study
Background There has been an increase in the number of policy support organizations (PSOs) that have been created to foster the systematic use of evidence in health system policymaking. Our aim was to identify approaches for establishing a PSO or similar entities by soliciting insights from those w...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Kerman University of Medical Sciences
2022-09-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Health Policy and Management |
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| Online Access: | https://www.ijhpm.com/article_4092_c75a276efabd97d9150990ad2f4db058.pdf |
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| author | Sultana Al Sabahi Michael G. Wilson John N. Lavis Fadi El-Jardali Kaelan Moat |
| author_facet | Sultana Al Sabahi Michael G. Wilson John N. Lavis Fadi El-Jardali Kaelan Moat |
| author_sort | Sultana Al Sabahi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background There has been an increase in the number of policy support organizations (PSOs) that have been created to foster the systematic use of evidence in health system policymaking. Our aim was to identify approaches for establishing a PSO or similar entities by soliciting insights from those with practical experience with developing and operationalizing PSOs in real-world contexts. Methods We used a sequential mixed method approached. We first conducted a survey to identify the views and experiences of those who were directly involved in the establishment of PSOs that have been developed and implemented across a variety of political-, health- and research-system contexts. The survey findings were then used to develop a purposive sample of PSO leaders and refine an interview guide for interviews with them. Results We received 19 completed surveys from leaders of PSOs in countries across the WHO regions and that operate in different settings (eg, as independent organization or within a university or government department) and conducted interviews with 15 senior managers from nine PSOs. Our findings provide in-depth insights about approaches and strategies across four stages for establishing a PSO, which include: (i) building awareness for the PSO; (ii) developing the PSO; (iii) assessing the PSO to identify potential areas for enhancement; and (iv) supporting maturation to build sustainability in the long-term. Our findings provide rich insights about the process of establishing a PSO from leaders who have undertaken the process. Conclusion While all PSOs share the same objective in supporting evidence-informed policy-making (EIPM), there is no single approach that can be considered to be the most successful in establishing a PSO, and each country should identify the approach based on its context. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T05:29:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-dd600e919c224eefa6cc7b1f123e7fb6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2322-5939 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T05:29:36Z |
| publishDate | 2022-09-01 |
| publisher | Kerman University of Medical Sciences |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Health Policy and Management |
| spelling | doaj.art-dd600e919c224eefa6cc7b1f123e7fb62023-03-07T09:11:35ZengKerman University of Medical SciencesInternational Journal of Health Policy and Management2322-59392022-09-011191788180010.34172/ijhpm.2021.864092Examining and Contextualizing Approaches to Establish Policy Support Organizations – A Mixed Method StudySultana Al Sabahi0Michael G. Wilson1John N. Lavis2Fadi El-Jardali3Kaelan Moat4Centre of Studies and Research, Ministry of Health, Muscat, OmanHealth Policy PhD Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, CanadaHealth Policy PhD Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, CanadaKnowledge to Policy Center, American University of Beirut, Beirut, LebanonMcMaster Health Forum, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, CanadaBackground There has been an increase in the number of policy support organizations (PSOs) that have been created to foster the systematic use of evidence in health system policymaking. Our aim was to identify approaches for establishing a PSO or similar entities by soliciting insights from those with practical experience with developing and operationalizing PSOs in real-world contexts. Methods We used a sequential mixed method approached. We first conducted a survey to identify the views and experiences of those who were directly involved in the establishment of PSOs that have been developed and implemented across a variety of political-, health- and research-system contexts. The survey findings were then used to develop a purposive sample of PSO leaders and refine an interview guide for interviews with them. Results We received 19 completed surveys from leaders of PSOs in countries across the WHO regions and that operate in different settings (eg, as independent organization or within a university or government department) and conducted interviews with 15 senior managers from nine PSOs. Our findings provide in-depth insights about approaches and strategies across four stages for establishing a PSO, which include: (i) building awareness for the PSO; (ii) developing the PSO; (iii) assessing the PSO to identify potential areas for enhancement; and (iv) supporting maturation to build sustainability in the long-term. Our findings provide rich insights about the process of establishing a PSO from leaders who have undertaken the process. Conclusion While all PSOs share the same objective in supporting evidence-informed policy-making (EIPM), there is no single approach that can be considered to be the most successful in establishing a PSO, and each country should identify the approach based on its context.https://www.ijhpm.com/article_4092_c75a276efabd97d9150990ad2f4db058.pdfevidence-informed policy-makingknowledge translationhealth policypolicy support organization |
| spellingShingle | Sultana Al Sabahi Michael G. Wilson John N. Lavis Fadi El-Jardali Kaelan Moat Examining and Contextualizing Approaches to Establish Policy Support Organizations – A Mixed Method Study International Journal of Health Policy and Management evidence-informed policy-making knowledge translation health policy policy support organization |
| title | Examining and Contextualizing Approaches to Establish Policy Support Organizations – A Mixed Method Study |
| title_full | Examining and Contextualizing Approaches to Establish Policy Support Organizations – A Mixed Method Study |
| title_fullStr | Examining and Contextualizing Approaches to Establish Policy Support Organizations – A Mixed Method Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Examining and Contextualizing Approaches to Establish Policy Support Organizations – A Mixed Method Study |
| title_short | Examining and Contextualizing Approaches to Establish Policy Support Organizations – A Mixed Method Study |
| title_sort | examining and contextualizing approaches to establish policy support organizations a mixed method study |
| topic | evidence-informed policy-making knowledge translation health policy policy support organization |
| url | https://www.ijhpm.com/article_4092_c75a276efabd97d9150990ad2f4db058.pdf |
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