Decision making process in health systems: a literature review

Abstract

Health systems are social systems that combine different types of resources, organization structures, funding models and management mechanisms to provide health services to a defined population. Tanios et al. say that the decision-making process in a health system deals with the definition of criteria and values, use of evidences and evaluation of health policies. In this context, this research aims to conduct a literature review about the decisionmaking process in health systems, to assist and guide future studies. In this regard, a bibliographic search was made in two different databases: ISI Web of Knowledge and SCOPUS. Publications found in this search were summarized through a superficial reading and the results were grouped into four themes: definitions and context in the decision-making process in health systems; criteria and challenges in this process; decision-making models; and information and information systems to support decision makers.