Building the Field of Health Policy and Systems Research: Framing the Questions
2011

Building the Field of Health Policy and Systems Research

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Sheikh Kabir, Gilson Lucy, Agyepong Irene Akua, Hanson Kara, Ssengooba Freddie, Bennett Sara

Hypothesis

What are the main challenges and opportunities for the development of Health Policy and Systems Research (HPSR)?

Conclusion

The study emphasizes the need for a balanced approach in HPSR that includes both hardware and software elements of health systems.

Supporting Evidence

  • HPSR is a multidisciplinary field that addresses complex health systems.
  • The study highlights the importance of both policy and systems in health research.
  • Current focus areas in HPSR often neglect the social and political contexts of health systems.

Takeaway

This study talks about how to make health systems better, especially in poorer countries, by asking important questions and finding new ways to help.

Potential Biases

There is a risk of 'disciplinary capture' where dominant health research traditions may overshadow other valuable perspectives.

Limitations

The understanding of HPSR is primarily drawn from English language literature, which may overlook valuable insights from other languages.

Participant Demographics

The focus is on health systems in low- and middle-income countries.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pmed.1001073

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