Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-mkpzs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-25T18:52:54.723Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

NATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE SUSTAINABILITY OF HEALTH KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION INITIATIVES IN UGANDA

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 March 2018

Robert Basaza ,
Alison Kinegyere ,
Boniface Mutatina  and
Nelson Sewankambo
Robert Basaza
Affiliation:
Makerere University College of Health Sciences International Health Sciences Universityrbasaza@gmail.com
Alison Kinegyere
Affiliation:
Makerere University College of Health Sciences
Boniface Mutatina
Affiliation:
Makerere University College of Health Sciences
Nelson Sewankambo
Affiliation:
Makerere University College of Health Sciences
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to provide evidence about the design and implementation of policies for advancing the sustainability of knowledge translation (KT) initiatives and policies in Uganda's health system.

Methods: We searched for and reviewed evidence about KT sustainability issues in Uganda, the impacts of options, barriers to implementing these options, and implementation strategies to address such barriers. In instances where the systematic reviews provided limited evidence, these were supplemented with relevant primary studies. Documents such as the government reports and unpublished literature were also included in the search. Key informant interviews and a policy dialogue were conducted, and an expert working group guided the study.

Results: The KT sustainability issues identified were: the absence of a specific unit within the health sector to coordinate and synthesize research; health worker not familiar with KT activities and not often used. Furthermore, Uganda lacks a mechanism to sustain its current national health frameworks or platforms, and does not have a system to ensure the sustained coordination of existing national health KT platforms. The policy options proposed include: (i) the identification of a KT champion; (ii) the establishment of an operational KT framework; (iii) KT capacity building for researchers and research users, as well as policy and decision makers.

Conclusions: The sustainability of KT will be influenced by the prevailing context and concerns within healthcare both in Uganda and internationally. Furthermore, the availability of resources for KT advocacy, communication, and program design will impact on the sustainability of Uganda's KT activities.

Keywords

Knowledge translationSustainabilityNational frameworkInitiativesUganda
Type
Policies
Information
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care , Volume 34 , Issue 1 , 2018 , pp. 120 - 128
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2018 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1. Graham, ID, Tetroe, JM. Getting evidence into policy and practice: Perspective of a health research funder. J Can Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2009;18:46-50.Google Scholar
2. United Nations University Institute of Water. Concept paper & case studies expanding our understanding of K* (Kt, KE, Ktt, KMb, KB, KM, etc.). A concept paper emerging from the K*; Ontario, Canada, Ontario: United Nations University Institute of Water; 2012.Google Scholar
3. Gruen, RL, Elliott, JH, Nolan, M, et al. Sustainability science: An integrated approach for health-programme planning. Lancet. 2008;372:1579-1589.Google Scholar
4. Schell, S, Luke, D, Schooley, M. et al. Public health program capacity for sustainability: A new framework. Implement Sci. 2013;8:15.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5. Calhoun, A, Mainor, A, Moreland-Russell, S, Maier, RC, Brossart, L, Luke, DA. Using the program sustainability assessment tool to assess and plan for sustainability. Prev Chronic Dis. 2014;11:130185.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6. Ministry of Health Uganda. Health Sector Development Plan 2015/16-19/20. Kampala: Ministry of Health Uganda; 2015.Google Scholar
7. Cordero, C. Funding agencies in low- and middle-income countries: Support for knowledge translation. Bull Word Health Organ. 2008;86:524-534.Google Scholar
8. Treading Economics.com. (2017). http://www.tradingeconomics.com/uganda/health-expenditure-total-percent-of-gdp-wb-data.html (accessed February 15, 2017).Google Scholar
9. Uganda National Health Research Organization. National Health Research Strategic Plan 2015/16-2019/20. Entebbe, Uganda: Uganda National Health Research Organization; 2015.Google Scholar
10. LaRocca, R, Yost, J, Dobbins, M, et al. The effectiveness of knowledge translation strategies used in public health: A systematic review. BMC Public Health. 2012;12:751.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11. Lavis, J, Robertson, D, Woodside, J, et al. How can research organizations more effectively transfer research knowledge to decision makers? Milbank Q. 2003;81:221-248.Google Scholar
12. Lavis, J, Oxman, A, Denis, J, et al. Towards systematic reviews that inform healthcare management and policy-making. J Health Serv Res Policy. 2005;10:35-48.Google Scholar
13. Dobbins, M, Hanna, SE, Ciliska, D, et al. Randomized controlled trial evaluating the impact of knowledge translation and exchange strategies. Implement Sci. 2009;4:61.Google Scholar
14. Straus, SE, Brouwers, M, Johnson, D, et al. Core competencies in the science and practice of knowledge translation: Description of a Canadian strategic training initiative. Implement Sci. 2011;6:127.Google Scholar
15. Coe, GA, Banta, D. Healthcare technology transfer in Latin America and the Caribbean. Int J Technol Assess Healthcare. 1992;8:255-267.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
16. World Health Organization. Evidence-informed policy-making. 2017. http://www.who.int/evidence/sure/en/ (accessed 20 March 20, 2017).Google Scholar
17. Ongolo-Zogo, P, Lavis, JN, Tomson, G, Sewankambo, NK. Initiatives supporting evidence informed health system policymaking in Cameroon and Uganda: A comparative historical case study. BMC Health Serv Res. 2014;14:612. doi:10.1186/s12913-014-0612-3.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
18. Mijumbi, RM, Oxman, AD, Panisset, U, Sewankambo, NK. Feasibility of a rapid response mechanism to meet policymakers’ urgent needs for research evidence about health systems in a low income country: A case study. Implement Sci. 2014;9:114. doi:10.1186/s13012-014-0114-z.Google Scholar
19. Mutatina, B, Basaza, R, Obuku, E, Lavis, JN, Sewankambo, N. Identifying and characterising health policy and system-relevant documents in Uganda: A scoping review to develop a framework for the development of a one-stop shop. Health Res Policy Syst. 2017;15:17. doi:10.1186/s12961-017-0170-3.Google Scholar
20. Arksey, H, O'Malley, L Scoping studies: Towards a methodological framework. Int J Soc Res Methodol. 2005;8:19-32.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
21. Robb, M, Shellenbarger, T. Strategies for searching and managing evidence-based practice resources. J Contin Educ Nurs. 2014;45:461-466.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
22. Basaza, R, Nabudere, H, Sewankambo, N. Terms of reference for evidence brief. Kampala, Uganda; Kampala, Makerere University College of Health Sciences; 2012.Google Scholar
23. Ssengooba, F, Atuyambe, L, Kiwanuka, SN, et al. Research translation to inform national health policies: Learning from multiple perspectives in Uganda. BMC Int Health Hum Rights. 2011;11 (Suppl 1):S13.Google Scholar
24. Bowen, S, Zwi, AB. Pathways to “evidence-informed” policy and practice: A framework for action. PLoS Med. 2005;2:e166.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
25. Lavis, JN, Lomas, J, Hamid, M, Sewankambo, NK. Assessing country-level efforts to link research to action. Bull World Health Org. 2006;84:620-628.Google Scholar
26. Ellen, ME, Lavis, JN, Ouimet, M, et al. Determining research knowledge infrastructure for healthcare systems: A qualitative study. Implement Sci. 2011;6:60.Google Scholar
27. Lavis, J. Funding of knowledge translation activities. McMaster Health Forum. Ontario Canada (Personal communication, 2013).Google Scholar
28. Jacobson, N, Butterill, D, Goering, P. Development of a framework for knowledge translation: Understanding user context. J Health Serv Res Policy. 2003;8:94-99.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
29. Holmes, B, Scarrow, G, Schellenberg, M. Translating evidence into practice: The role of health research funders. Implement Sci. 2012;7:39.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
30. World Health Organization. The Algiers Declaration of Ministerial Conference on research for health in the African Region. Brazzaville: World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa; 2008.Google Scholar
31. National Institute of Healthcare and Excellence. About National Institute of Healthcare and Excellence: National Institute of Healthcare and Excellence 2013. http://www.nice.org.uk/ (accessed March 23, 2017).Google Scholar
Supplementary material: File

Basaza et al. supplementary material 1

Basaza et al. supplementary material

Download Basaza et al. supplementary material 1(File)
File 24.2 KB