Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Charles Thackrah Building, 101 Clarendon Road, Leeds, LS2 9LJ, United Kingdom.
Health Res Policy Syst. 2012 Sep 14;10:30. doi: 10.1186/1478-4505-10-30.
Partnerships are increasingly common in conducting research. However, there is little published evidence about processes in research-policy partnerships in different contexts. This paper contributes to filling this gap by analysing experiences of research-policy partnerships between Ministries of Health and research organisations for the implementation of the Mental Health and Poverty Project in Ghana, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia.
A conceptual framework for understanding and assessing research-policy partnerships was developed and guided this study. The data collection methods for this qualitative study included semi-structured interviews with Ministry of Health Partners (MOHPs) and Research Partners (RPs) in each country.
The term partnership was perceived by the partners as a collaboration involving mutually-agreed goals and objectives. The principles of trust, openness, equality and mutual respect were identified as constituting the core of partnerships. The MOHPs and RPs had clearly defined roles, with the MOHPs largely providing political support and RPs leading the research agenda. Different influences affected partnerships. At the individual level, personal relationships and ability to compromise within partnerships were seen as important. At the organisational level, the main influences included the degree of formalisation of roles and responsibilities and the internal structures and procedures affecting decision-making. At the contextual level, political environment and the degree of health system decentralisation affected partnerships.
Several lessons can be learned from these experiences. Taking account of influences on the partnership at individual, organisation and contextual/system levels can increase its effectiveness. A common understanding of mutually-agreed goals and objectives of the partnership is essential. It is important to give attention to the processes of initiating and maintaining partnerships, based on clear roles, responsibilities and commitment of parties at different levels. Although partnerships are often established for a specific purpose, such as carrying out a particular project, the effects of partnership go beyond a particular initiative.
伙伴关系在开展研究中越来越普遍。然而，在不同背景下，关于研究政策伙伴关系的过程，发表的证据很少。本文通过分析加纳、南非、乌干达和赞比亚卫生部与研究组织之间为实施《精神卫生与贫困项目》而建立的研究政策伙伴关系的经验，填补了这一空白。
本文使用了一个理解和评估研究政策伙伴关系的概念框架，并以此作为指导。这项定性研究的数据收集方法包括对每个国家的卫生部伙伴（MOHP）和研究伙伴（RP）进行半结构化访谈。
合作伙伴将伙伴关系视为一种涉及共同商定的目标和宗旨的合作。合作伙伴确定了信任、开放、平等和相互尊重等原则，认为这些是伙伴关系的核心。卫生部伙伴和研究伙伴的角色明确，卫生部伙伴主要提供政治支持，研究伙伴主导研究议程。不同的因素影响着伙伴关系。在个人层面，个人关系和在伙伴关系中妥协的能力被视为重要因素。在组织层面，主要影响因素包括角色和责任的正式程度，以及影响决策的内部结构和程序。在背景层面，政治环境和卫生系统分权程度影响着伙伴关系。
从这些经验中可以吸取一些教训。考虑到伙伴关系在个人、组织和背景/系统层面的影响因素，可以提高其有效性。对伙伴关系的共同理解是至关重要的，即对伙伴关系的共同目标有一个共识。关注伙伴关系的启动和维持过程很重要，要基于不同层面各方的明确角色、责任和承诺。虽然伙伴关系通常是为了特定目的而建立的，如开展特定项目，但伙伴关系的影响超出了特定举措。
