title: A multi-faceted approach to promote knowledge translation platforms in eastern Mediterranean countries: climate for evidence-informed policy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Limited work has been done to promote knowledge translation (KT) in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). The objectives of this study are to: 1.assess the climate for evidence use in policy; 2.explore views and practices about current processes and weaknesses of health policymaking; 3.identify priorities including short-term requirements for policy briefs; and 4.identify country-specific requirements for establishing KT platforms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Senior policymakers, stakeholders and researchers from Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen participated in this study. Questionnaires were used to assess the climate for use of evidence and identify windows of opportunity and requirements for policy briefs and for establishing KT platforms. Current processes and weaknesses of policymaking were appraised using case study scenarios. Closed-ended questions were analyzed descriptively. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  KT activities were not frequently undertaken by policymakers and researchers in EMR countries, research evidence about high priority policy issues was rarely made available, and interaction between policymakers and researchers was limited, and policymakers rarely identified or created places for utilizing research evidence in decision-making processes. Findings emphasized the complexity of policymaking. Donors, political regimes, economic goals and outdated laws were identified as key drivers. Lack of policymakers' abilities to think strategically, constant need to make quick decisions, limited financial resources, and lack of competent and trained human resources were suggested as main weaknesses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the complexity of policymaking processes in countries from this region, the absence of a structured process for decision making, and the limited engagement of policymakers and researchers in KT activities, there are windows of opportunity for moving towards more evidence informed policymaking.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Management and Policy, American University of Beirut, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh, Beirut, 1107 2020, Lebanon. fe08@aub.edu.lb
authors.forename: Fadi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: El-Jardali
authors.forename: Nour
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ataya
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jamal
authors.forename: Maha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jaafar
mesh_terms: D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D019083:Mediterranean Region; D011050:Policy Making; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical / Q000379:methods*