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BMC Health Services Research
Published in: BMC Health Services Research 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

Assessing the impact of health research on health policies: a study of the Dodowa Health Research Centre, Ghana

Authors: Blanca Escribano-Ferrer, Jayne Webster, Margaret Gyapong

Published in: BMC Health Services Research | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

The importance of assessing research impact is increasingly recognised. Ghana has a long tradition of research dating from the 1970s. In the Ghana Health Service there are three health research centres under the Research and Development Division. Dodowa Health Research Centre (DHRC) is the youngest in the country dating from the 1990s. The objective of this study is to analyse the influence of the research conducted in DHRC on national and local health policies.

Methods

The study used the Research Impact Framework. Six projects were selected based on a set of criteria. Thirteen interviews were conducted with researchers and policy makers using a semi-structured interview guide.

Results

DHRC had numerous policy impacts in terms of researchers participating in policy networks, increasing political capital and influencing policy documents. Factors identified to be associated with policy impact included collaboration with policy makers at the design stage, addressing health priorities, and communicating results mainly through the participation in annual review meetings.

Conclusions

DHRC was successful in influencing health policies. Recommendations were made that could be included in the DHRC strategic planning to improve the research process and its policy impact.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Assessing the impact of health research on health policies: a study of the Dodowa Health Research Centre, Ghana
Authors
Blanca Escribano-Ferrer
Jayne Webster
Margaret Gyapong
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Health Services Research / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6963
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2383-0

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