Linking researchers and policy-makers: some challenges and approaches.
In developing a proposal for the study of the effect of user fees on access to preventive care, a team, comprising researchers and policy-makers, initiated interaction with key policy implementers in the Jamaica's Ministry of Health to ensure that their perspectives were considered at the preliminary stage. There were many pressing events occupying the minds and energies of the implementers, but the team was able to capitalize on existing good relationships to capture attention. In the interviews that followed, agreement was reached on the necessity for the study, its focus and methodology. The process of consultation achieved notable successes and can be regarded as a model for successful research and policy interaction.
Gordon-Strachan
Georgiana
G
Ministry of Health, Kingston, Jamaica.
Bailey
Wilma
W
Lalta
Stanley
S
Ward
Elizabeth
E
Henry-Lee
Aldrie
A
LeFranc
Elsie
E
D000288:Administrative Personnel; D035843:Biomedical Research; D005251:Fees, Medical; D006285:Health Planning; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007563:Jamaica; D011050:Policy Making; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000191:economics; D012108:Research Personnel