Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.
University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
East Mediterr Health J. 2020 Mar 24;26(3):340-348. doi: 10.26719/emhj.19.016.
There is a growing international and regional interest in Health Research Systems (HRSs) in light of a global strategy for HRS stakeholders' (HRSSHs) active involvement. HRSSHs in Palestine have rarely been investigated with regard to uncertainties.
This study aimed to analyse perceptions of HRSSHs in order to understand their roles and involvement, identify gaps, and offer policy solutions for stakeholders' engagement in the Palestinian HRS.
This qualitative study targeted three local Palestinian health sectors, government, academia, and local and international agencies. Data were collected through 52 in-depth interviews (IDIs) and 6 focus group discussions (FGDs) and then analysed using MAXQDA 12 software. Participants and institutions were selected purposively based on a set of criteria and peer review.
The overall HRS stakeholders' roles were unsatisfactory, with low involvement from society, the private sector, local and international sectors. The role of academia and the Ministry of Health is vital but observed moderate in health research while that of international agencies is weak due to conflicting agendas and lack of a guiding body. Most universities have poor representation in public decision-making and scarcity in health research potential and capacity. Interest-power imbalance among stakeholders is reported where political, organizational, and technical shortfalls were indicative of weak roles and low involvement, along with a lack of health research culture, structure, resources, defined roles, and network.
Tackling the inadequate roles, interests' disparity, and poor involvement of HRSSHs is imperative for HRS strengthening. Redefining HRSSHs' roles and involving all stakeholders is key through strategic dialogue, consolidated leadership, and resource mobilization.
鉴于全球卫生研究系统（HRS）利益相关者积极参与的战略，国际和地区对卫生研究系统日益关注。巴勒斯坦的卫生研究系统利益相关者很少针对不确定性进行调查。
本研究旨在分析卫生研究系统利益相关者的认知，以了解他们的角色和参与情况，确定差距，并为利益相关者参与巴勒斯坦卫生研究系统提供政策解决方案。
本定性研究以巴勒斯坦的三个当地卫生部门（政府、学术界和地方及国际机构）为研究对象。通过 52 次深入访谈（IDIs）和 6 次焦点小组讨论（FGDs）收集数据，然后使用 MAXQDA 12 软件进行分析。参与者和机构是根据一系列标准和同行评审有针对性地选择的。
总体而言，卫生研究系统利益相关者的角色不尽如人意，社会、私营部门、地方和国际部门的参与度较低。学术界和卫生部的作用至关重要，但在卫生研究方面的参与度适中，而国际机构的作用较弱，原因是存在相互冲突的议程和缺乏指导机构。大多数大学在公共决策中的代表性不足，在卫生研究潜力和能力方面也很匮乏。利益相关者之间存在利益失衡，政治、组织和技术方面的不足表明角色薄弱，参与度低，同时缺乏卫生研究文化、结构、资源、明确的角色和网络。
必须解决卫生研究系统利益相关者作用不足、利益差距和参与度低的问题，以加强卫生研究系统。通过战略对话、巩固领导地位和资源调动，重新定义卫生研究系统利益相关者的角色并让所有利益相关者参与其中是关键。
