ArticleHealth research policy and systems2018
Assessing policy-makers', academics' and experts' satisfaction with the performance of the Palestinian health research system: a qualitative study.
Article in Health research policy and systems, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
9 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- What the policy and stewardship landscape of a national health research system looks like in a developing country like Iran: a qualitative study.Health research policy and systems · 2022Pooled it
- Adolescent health research and initiatives in the occupied Palestinian territory: a scoping review.BMJ open · 2025Article
- Stakeholders' experiences, perceptions and satisfaction with an electronic appointment system: a qualitative content analysis.BMC health services research · 2025Article
- The need to reorganize health research systems in pandemic crisis: A prospective study.Health science reports · 2023Article
- Qualitative research in the Arabic language. When should translations to English occur? A literature review.Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy · 2022Review
- Health research capacity building of health workers in fragile and conflict-affected settings: a scoping review of challenges, strengths, and recommendations.Health research policy and systems · 2021Article
- State of Research Quality and Knowledge Transfer and Translation and Capacity Strengthening Strategies for Sound Health Policy Decision-Making in Palestine.International journal of public health · 2021Article
- Perceptions of Non-Communicable Disease and War Injury Management in the Palestinian Health System: A Qualitative Study of Healthcare Providers Perspectives.Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare · 2020Article
- Evolution of Iran's health research system over the past 50 years: a narrative review.Journal of global health · 2018Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThere is a growing demand within international health agencies to ensure health research systems (HRSs) are strengthened and well-functioning to support healthcare systems (HCSs). Understanding HRS performance through system actors is an indispensable move in analysing this system. This study aims to examine policy-makers', academics' and experts' satisfaction with overall HRS performance, while also investigating their perceptions about political will and attention towards health research. Ultimately, we want to identify gaps related to performance and generate insights on how to move forward for HRS performance strengthening.
methodsThis study was carried out in Palestine, targeting three sectors, namely government institutions, public health universities, and major local and international health non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Semi-structured, in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with participants. The institutions from the three sectors were selected based on stated criteria and peer reviews. Data were translated from Arabic into English, transcribed, content checked by the principal investigator, imported to a software programme (MAXQDA 12), and then coded. Thematic content analysis was used.
resultsA total of 104 experts participated in 52 IDIs and 52 experts participated in 6 FGDs. Findings revealed three principal domains. First, the HRS in Palestine is remarkably underperforming, and the majority of experts were unsatisfied. Participants perceived the system as ineffective and inefficient, poorly managed and lacking systematic assessment. Second, the factors behind system underperformance were (1) an unstructured system and the lack of a research culture as well as of a governing body or policies; (2) health research was seen as individualistic, non-development driven and unutilised in policy decisions; and (3) considerably deficient coordination and essential resources. The third finding showed inadequate political support and engagement, which then also related to system underperformance.
conclusionsThe Palestinian HRS is perceived as underperforming by health experts at different levels, where research is not on the leadership agendas. Potential actions should be taken to actively engage the state health decision-makers and inform them of the importance, uses and impacts of performance assessment. Findings urge policy-makers and legislators to build an inclusive and national body of governance with agreed strategies including fundamentally hybrid and aligned performance assessment mechanisms, such as a research observatory platform. In addition, it is recommended to establish a strategic plan to expand professionals' research awareness and abilities, as well as empower the institution's research monitoring and evaluation capacities.
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