Table 1 Systematic reviews matched with the policy-relevant priorities identified in El-Jardali et al. [12] and Rashidian et al. [13] by theme
Rank | Policy-relevant priorities | N (%) |
|---|---|---|
Theme 1: Human Resources for Health (HRH) | 115 | |
1 | Means to develop HRH information systems in ministries of health and national observatories | 0 (0.0) |
2 | Gaps in existing education and training programs | 0 (0.0) |
3 | Information on patient satisfaction | 1 (0.9) |
4 | Accurate estimates and needs in numbers and specialties (mapping) | 4 (3.5) |
5 | Ways that can enable education and training programs to meet the population health needs | 30 (26.1) |
6 | Methods to measure HRH performance and productivity | 0 (0.0) |
7 | Develop simulation models for HRH planning | 30 (26.1) |
8 | Elements of performance evaluation | 7 (6.1) |
9 | Develop incentive mechanisms to better manage the existing stock of HRH | 18 (15.7) |
10 | Ways to improve staff satisfaction | 25 (21.7) |
Theme 2: Health Financing | 33 | |
1 | Elements of an equitable health financing system | 13 (39.3) |
2 | Household ability to pay for healthcare | 16 (48.4) |
3 | Linking population health needs to health spending | 2 (6.1) |
4 | Role of the social health insurance system in guaranteeing equity | 1 (3.0) |
5 | Identifying best practices to develop and implement a national social health insurance system | 9 (27.2) |
6 | Clarifying functions and coordination processes between ministries (for example, the ministries of health and of finance) to improve health system financing and quality of services | 0 (0.0) |
7 | Means to track financial resources invested in health care to ensure value for money | 0 (0.0) |
8 | Accurate estimation of the health expenditure from the public and the private sectors including out-of-pocket expenditure | 0 (0.0) |
9 | Population health status and needs | 0 (0.0) |
Theme 3: Role of the Non-State Sector | 25 | |
1 | Ways to regulate and monitor the quality of care in the private sector | 16 (64.0) |
2 | Ways to optimize the use of the existing resources of the non-state sector to meet health system objectives | 4 (16.0) |
3 | Ways for the public and private sectors to complement their service delivery | 4 (16.0) |
4 | Areas where the state and civil society groups can complement each other | 0 (0.0) |
5 | National database on the non-state sector | 0 (0.0) |
6 | Foundation/elements for building strong public-private partnerships | 1 (4.0) |
7 | Accreditation standards for private sector | 0 (0.0) |
8 | Ways to develop effective contracting mechanisms with the private and other non-state sectors | 3 (12.0) |
9 | National plan for the contribution of the non-state sector | 0 (0.0) |
10 | Measuring client satisfaction | 0 (0.0) |
11 | Defining the role and responsibility of the non-state sector | 0 (0.0) |
12 | Scope, resources, and kind of services provided by the non-state sector | 0 (0.0) |
Theme 4: Access to Medicine | 27 | |
1 | Evaluation the role of pharmaceutical companies on prescribing and drug use patterns | 5 (18.5) |
2 | Identifying effective continuous education methods for physicians to improve drug use patterns and access to medicines | 8 (29.6) |
3 | What happens at the dispensary? Dispensing medicines or delivering primary health care? | 2 (7.4) |
4 | Identifying effective methods on improving public knowledge and awareness about drug use | 3 (11.1) |
5 | Consumer demand, health-seeking preferences, willingness to pay, and enhancing patient role in accountability | 0 (0.0) |
6 | Assessing the procedures and regulations for adding medicines to the national drug list (formulary) and identifying improvement models | 0 (0.0) |
7 | Adherence to generics in primary health care and dispensaries | 1 (3.7) |
8 | Attitudes of physicians and of the public towards generic substitution and the opportunities for implementing relevant policies | 0 (0.0) |
9 | Pricing policies to improve access to essential generics and contain prices of excessively priced originator brands | 0 (0.0) |
10 | Evaluation of the effect of the ‘single item importing’ policy on final cost of medicines, quality and access, and health system expenditure | 0 (0.0) |
11 | Evaluation of the process of adding medicines to the insurance organizations' list of medicines covered | 0 (0.0) |
12 | Alternative financing mechanisms to supplement public sector provision | 12 (44.4) |
13 | Optimal mix of pricing regulations to reduce expenditure burden on households | 1 (3.7) |
14 | Assessment of quality of medicines on the market and role of counterfeit medicines and black market | 0 (0.0) |
15 | Improving logistics and human resource management in the public sector for improving drug access | 0 (0.0) |
16 | Evaluation of the role of civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations in improving access to medicines especially for the poor, vulnerable groups, and hard-to-reach populations | 0 (0.0) |
17 | Mapping and assessment of private sector including of qualified providers, informal providers, shadow pharmacies, and traditional healers | 0 (0.0) |