Policy options to increase motivation for improving evidence‑informed health policy‑making in Iran
Current incentive programmes are not sufficient to motivate researchers and policy-makers to use research evidence in policy-making. We conducted a mixed-methods design to identify context-based policy options for strengthening motivations among health researchers and policy-makers to support evidence-informed health policy-making (EIHP) in Iran.
Abstract
Background: Current incentive programmes are not sufficient to motivate researchers and policy-makers to use
research evidence in policy-making. We conducted a mixed-methods design to identify context-based policy options
for strengthening motivations among health researchers and policy-makers to support evidence-informed health
policy-making (EIHP) in Iran.
Methods: This study was conducted in 2019 in two phases. In the first phase, we conducted a scoping review
to extract interventions implemented or proposed to strengthen motivations to support EIHP. Additionally, we
employed a comparative case study design for reviewing the performance evaluation (PE) processes in Iran and other
selected countries to determine the current individual and organizational incentives to encourage EIHP. In the second
phase, we developed two policy briefs and then convened two policy dialogues, with 12 and 8 key informants,
respectively, where the briefs were discussed. Data were analysed using manifest content analysis in order to propose
contextualized policy options.
Results: The policy options identified to motivate health researchers and policy-makers to support EIHP in Iran were:
revising the criteria of academic PE; designing appropriate incentive programmes for nonacademic researchers; developing
an indicator for the evaluation of research impact on policy-making or health outcomes; revising the current
policies of scientific journals; revising existing funding mechanisms; presenting the knowledge translation plan when
submitting a research proposal, as a mandatory condition; encouraging and supporting mechanisms for increasing
interactions between policy-makers and researchers; and revising some administrative processes (e.g. managers and
staff PEs; selection, appointment, and changing managers and reward mechanisms).
Conclusions: The current individual or organizational incentives are mainly focused on publications, rather than
encouraging researchers and policy-makers to support EIHP. Relying more on incentives that consider the other
impacts of research (e.g. impacts on health system and policy, or health outcomes) is recommended. These incentives
may encourage individuals and organizations to be more involved in conducting research evidence, resulting in
promoting EIHP.
Trial registration: NA.
Keywords: Evidence-based practice, Evidence-informed policy-making, Policy-making, Motivation, Iran
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