Article type
Year
Abstract
Background:
The production and use of systematic reviews (SRs) are limited in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). The extent to which published SRs address policy priorities in the region is still unknown.
Objectives:
This situational analysis is the first of its kind to assess the extent to which published SRs address policy priorities identified by policymakers and stakeholders in the EMR. It also provides an overview of the state of SR production in the region and identifies knowledge gaps.
Methods:
We conducted a systematic search of Health Systems Evidence database to identify published SRs on policy-relevant priorities pertaining to the following themes: human resources for health; health financing; role of the non-state sector and access to medicine. Priorities were identified from two priority-setting exercises conducted in the region. We describe the distribution of these SRs across themes, sub-themes, authors’ affiliations, and countries where the included primary studies were conducted.
Results:
Out of 1045 SRs identified in Health Systems Evidence on the selected themes, 200 SRs (19%) addressed the priorities from the EMR. The theme with the largest number of SRs was human resources for health (n=115) followed by health financing (n=33), access to medicine (n=27), and role of the non-state sector (n=25). Authors based in the region produced only three SRs addressing regional priorities (1.5%). Furthermore, no SRs focused on the EMR. Seventeen SRs (8.5%) included primary studies conducted in the region.
Conclusions:
There are still gaps in the production and alignment of SR production with policymakers’ and stakeholders’ priorities in the EMR. The findings highlight the need for individual and institutional capacity development in SR production and communication. They can also inform the agendas of researchers, research institutions and funding agencies of priority areas that require SRs, thus pushing towards evidence-informed policy making.
The production and use of systematic reviews (SRs) are limited in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). The extent to which published SRs address policy priorities in the region is still unknown.
Objectives:
This situational analysis is the first of its kind to assess the extent to which published SRs address policy priorities identified by policymakers and stakeholders in the EMR. It also provides an overview of the state of SR production in the region and identifies knowledge gaps.
Methods:
We conducted a systematic search of Health Systems Evidence database to identify published SRs on policy-relevant priorities pertaining to the following themes: human resources for health; health financing; role of the non-state sector and access to medicine. Priorities were identified from two priority-setting exercises conducted in the region. We describe the distribution of these SRs across themes, sub-themes, authors’ affiliations, and countries where the included primary studies were conducted.
Results:
Out of 1045 SRs identified in Health Systems Evidence on the selected themes, 200 SRs (19%) addressed the priorities from the EMR. The theme with the largest number of SRs was human resources for health (n=115) followed by health financing (n=33), access to medicine (n=27), and role of the non-state sector (n=25). Authors based in the region produced only three SRs addressing regional priorities (1.5%). Furthermore, no SRs focused on the EMR. Seventeen SRs (8.5%) included primary studies conducted in the region.
Conclusions:
There are still gaps in the production and alignment of SR production with policymakers’ and stakeholders’ priorities in the EMR. The findings highlight the need for individual and institutional capacity development in SR production and communication. They can also inform the agendas of researchers, research institutions and funding agencies of priority areas that require SRs, thus pushing towards evidence-informed policy making.