Health research system analysis: the research environment

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: to learn about the perception of decision-makers of scientific policies, researchers and users of health research results regarding the health research environment in Brazil. Method: descriptive study with data obtained by means of standardized questionnaires administered to a random sample of research group leaders working at institutions located in the states of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Rio Grande do Sul, Bahia and in the Federal District; and intentional samples of decision-makers of scientific policies and users of research results. The questionnaires were developed and tested by a team from the World Health Organization (WHO) and used in 12 pilot studies in middle and low income countries. RESULTS: the interviewees consider that the motivation for health research production and utilization is better in their institutions than in the country. Among the aspects of the research environment, the following ones were considered priorities: relevance of the investigated problems, incentive to the researcher's career, and transparency in funding. The aspects that received the best evaluation were: access to scientific information, opportunities for results communication and publication, and researchers' training. The worst evaluations were given to: salaries, career incentives and transparency in funding. The results were influenced by the scientific area in which the interviewees work, by the position as decision-maker, researcher or user, and by age groups. CONCLUSION: the interviewees evaluated the health research environment in the country as regular for most analyzed aspects, considering good only researchers' training, access to scientific information, and publication opportunities. Several aspects of the health research environment in the country need to be improved.