Informing evidence-based policies for ageing and health in Ghana

Problem: Ghana's population is ageing. In 2011, the Government of Ghana requested technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO) to help revise national policies on ageing and health. Approach: We applied WHO's knowledge translation framework on ageing and health to assist evidence based policy-making in Ghana. First, we defined priority problems and health system responses by performing a country assessment of epidemiologic data, policy review, site visits and interviews of key informants. Second, we gathered evidence on effective health systems interventions in low- middle- and high-income countries. Third, key stakeholders were engaged in a policy dialogue. Fourth, policy briefs were developed and presented to the Ghana Health Services. Local setting: Ghana has a well-structured health system that can adapt to meet the health care needs of older people. Relevant changes: Six problems were selected as priorities, however after the policy dialogue, only five were agreed as priorities by the stakeholders. The key stakeholders drafted evidence-based policy recommendations that were used to develop policy briefs. The briefs were presented to the Ghana Health Service in 2014. Lessons learnt: The framework can be used to build local capacity on evidence-informed policy-making. However, knowledge translation tools need further development to be used in low-income countries and in the field of ageing. The terms and language of the tools need to be adapted to local contexts. Evidence for health system interventions on ageing populations is very limited, particularly for low- and middle-income settings

A Influência da evidência científica no processo da formulação de políticas de recursos humanos em Saúde: estudo de caso múltiplo

Brasil e Portugal vêm enfrentando desafios na área dos recursos humanos em saúde (RHS) como o de atrair e reter profissionais em áreas remotas e carentes, o que contribui para a redução do acesso aos serviços. O estudo tem como objetivo compreender a influência da evidência científica no processo da formulação de políticas de RHS, que visem melhorar a equidade da distribuição geográfica dos profissionais. É composto por dois estudos de caso: o programa Mais Médicos no Brasil, que inclui entre suas medidas o recrutamento de médicos, brasileiros e estrangeiros de forma individual e por acordo bilateral com o governo cubano, para zonas com necessidades de serviços de saúde não atendidas; e a contratação de médicos estrangeiros por acordos bilaterais para o trabalho no serviço nacional de saúde em Portugal. Será realizada uma análise documental, literatura publicada e cinzenta e media e entrevistas semiestruturadas com formuladores de política, stakeholders como os representantes das organizações profissionais e investigadores. Utilizaremos para a análise o quadro conceitual “3-I” qual assume que a formulação de políticas é influênciada por ideias, interesses de atores, instituições e fatores externos (LAVIS et al., 2012). Os resultados contribuirão para o estabelecimento de um panorama do momento sobre os países em estudo e para a compreensão dos determinantes do uso da evidência científica na formulação de política.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

RESEARCH Open Access Evaluation of the international forum on evidence

Background: Meetings and conferences are often used as a tool to disseminate information, network with colleagues, and/or set direction for a field of study, but there is little evidence to support whether such events achieve their objectives. This study evaluates the International Forum on Evidence Informed Health Policymaking (EIHP), a three-day meeting held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2012, to determine the success of the meeting based on pre-determined objectives. Methods: The evaluation strategy was developed based on a previously published conference evaluation framework and operationalized as an end-of-conference participant survey that incorporated both process (programme/organization) and outcome measures (potential changes in behaviour). Results: Sixty seven of approximately 121 attendees filled out a questionnaire (a 55 % response rate) and, overall, participants rated the programme components and plenary sessions very highly. The top three benefits reported by participants were: i) sharing experiences and lessons learned (75%); ii) new opportunities for future collaboration (69%); and iii) new knowledge (67%). Conversely, only 25 % or less of meeting participants reported an intent to utilize any of the potential benefits highlighted in the questionnaire, with the notable exception of pursuing new opportunities for future collaboration. Conclusions: The evaluation findings suggest that the International Forum achieved its objectives of sharing experiences with EIHP and providing opportunities for networking among EIHP initiatives, although there are limited prospects for direct improvements to efforts to support EIHP