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Background There is a growing body of literature that recognizes the importance of public engagement in health technology assessment. However, there is still uncertainty regarding how the results should be recorded, analyzed, and used by decision makers. Objective Synthesize the contributions of the Brazilian public (women, health professionals, managers, educational institutions, and companies) about the implementation of the National Clinical Guidelines for Care in Normal Birth from the public consultation carried out in Brazil. Method IRaMuTeQ software was used to organize and summarize the corpus based on three types of analysis: descriptive statistics; descending hierarchical classification; and specificities analysis. The public consultation was conducted in 2016 by the National Committee for Health Technology Incorporation (CONITEC) in the Brazilian public health system as part of the guideline development process. Results The corpus consisted of 303 texts, separated into 1233 text segments, 1081 of which were used, corresponding to retention of 87.67%. Five classes emerged from our analyses: mandatory presence of an obstetrician during labor and delivery in hospital settings; barriers and facilitators for guideline implementation; use of evidence—based practices by health professionals; progression of labor and delivery and women’s rights; and mobilization to promote the guideline For each class, the most frequent words and sentences with the highest chi-squared scores were presented. Barriers were associated with lack of financial resources, training and professional motivation, and facilitators with training to change the practices of health professionals. Obstetric nurses emerged as an alternative for supervising normal births as well as the mandatory presence of an obstetrician during childbirth in hospital settings. Conclusion Our findings summarize the contributions provided by the Brazilian public and shed some light on the barriers and facilitators of clinical guidelines for care in normal birth. These topics are not typically explored by quantitative studies. Including this information in the decision-making process would not only increase public engagement, but provide greater evidence for implementing the clinical guidelines nationwide.

Background Evidence-Informed Policymaking (EIPM) require a set of individual and organizational capabilities, articulated with background factors and needs. The identification of essential Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes for EIPM can support the formulation of competency profiles and their application in different contexts. Purpose To identify elements of competency (Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes) for EIPM, according to different professional profiles. Methods Rapid scoping review. A structured search was led, and later updated in two comprehensive repositories (BVSalud and PubMed). Review studies with different designs, published from 2010 onwards, without language restriction were included. Assessment of the methodological quality of the studies was not performed. A meta-aggregative narrative synthesis consolidated the findings. Results Ten reviews were included. Eight elements were categorized as Knowledge, 19 as Skills and 10 as Attitudes were identified, totaling 37 elements of competency. These elements were aggregated into four competency profiles (Researcher, Health Professional, Decision-maker and Citizen). The competency profiles included different sets of EIPM-related Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes. Strengths and limitations This study is innovative because it aggregates different profiles of competency and uses a practical perspective, favoring the application of its results in different contexts, to support EIPM. Methodological limitations are related to the shortcuts adopted in this review, especially as it does not include complementary searches of the grey literature and does not carry out, in duplicate, the stages of study selection and data extraction. Final considerations: conclusions and implications of the findings EIPMs require the development of individual and organizational capacities. This rapid scoping review contributes to the discussion on the institutionalization of EIPM in health systems. The competency profiles presented here can support discussions about the availability and need for capacity development in different contexts.

Resumo O artigo apresenta uma prospecção da produção científica brasileira sobre a saúde da população negra (SPN) publicada em periódicos científicos. Trata-se de uma revisão de escopo rápida, combinada com análise temática e bibliométrica. As buscas foram realizadas em quatro bases indexadas. Foram selecionados 519 trabalhos em consonância com os eixos temáticos e subtemas estratégicos da Agenda de Prioridades de Pesquisa do Ministério da Saúde e das diretrizes da Política Nacional de Saúde Integral da População Negra. Os dados mostraram estudos publicados entre 1969 e 2022, a maioria deles com abordagem quantitativa. Entre os selecionados, 65 foram especificamente sobre a população negra e 54 sobre a população quilombola. A análise dos termos mais recorrentes nos títulos dos trabalhos selecionados mostrou que prevaleceram aspectos epidemiológicos e condições de saúde e doença. Observou-se limitações nos descritores de indexação hoje disponíveis, que não abrangem a terminologia mais adequada conceitualmente. O artigo contribui para consolidar o conhecimento sobre a produção científica relacionada com a SPN, subsidiando também a discussão em torno de uma agenda prioritária propositiva para pesquisas com vistas a aprimorar as políticas de saúde para essa população, superar o racismo e denunciar as violações de direitos. Abstract The article presents a perspective on the Brazilian scientific production on the health of the black population (SPN) published in scientific journals. We performed a rapid scoping review combined with thematic and bibliometric analysis. Our search included four indexed databases. We retrieved 519 studies in line with the thematic axes and strategic underlying themes of the Agenda of Research Priorities of the Ministry of Health and the guidelines of the National Policy for the Comprehensive Health of the Black Population. The data mainly returned quantitative studies published from 1969 to 2022. Sixty-five of the selected studies were explicitly about the black population and 54 about the quilombola population. The analysis of the most recurrent terms in the titles of the selected studies evidenced that epidemiological aspects and health and disease conditions prevailed. We observed limitations in the currently available indexing descriptors, which do not cover the most conceptually appropriate terminology. This paper consolidates knowledge about the SPN-related scientific production. It supports the discussion on a propositional priority research agenda to improve health policies for this population, overcome racism, and denounce rights violations.

Resumo A Política Nacional de Saúde Integral de Lésbicas, Gays, Bissexuais, Travestis e Transexuais (LGBT) foi um importante passo na busca de equidade. A falta de pesquisas específicas pode ser um entrave na elaboração de estratégias que abarquem as necessidades de saúde dessa população. O objetivo deste estudo foi mapear e caracterizar a produção científica brasileira sobre a saúde da população LGBT. Utilizamos a metodologia de revisão de escopo rápida para realizar uma análise temática e bibliométrica. Incluímos estudos de pesquisadores(as) brasileiros(as) publicados em periódicos científicos. As buscas foram realizadas em quatro bases de dados, sendo incluídos 381 artigos. Os resultados indicam que a produção científica brasileira sobre a saúde de LGBT aumentou ao longo do tempo, particularmente a partir de 2016, porém observam-se lacunas em necessidades e vulnerabilidades específicas dentro dos subgrupos abarcados pela sigla LGBTQIA+. Apesar dos avanços promovidos a partir da Política Nacional de Saúde Integral LGBT, há ainda muitas lacunas na produção científica brasileira, que poderiam ser incluídas na agenda de prioridades para fomento à pesquisa. Abstract The National Policy of Comprehensive Health of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transvestites and Transsexuals (LGBT) was an important step in the search for equity. The lack of specific research can be an obstacle for the design of strategies that address LGBT health needs. The objective of this study is to map and characterize the Brazilian scientific production on the LGBT population health. We used the rapid scoping review methodology to perform a thematic and bibliometric analysis. We included Brazilian researchers’ studies published in scientific journals. Searches were carried out in four databases, with inclusion of 381 articles in the analysis. The results indicate that Brazilian production about the health of LGBT has increased over time, particularly from 2016, but there are some gaps in specific needs and vulnerabilities within the subgroups of people covered by the acronyms LGBTQIA+. Despite the advances launched from the National Policy of Health Integral LGBT, there are still many gaps in Brazilian scientific production, which could be included in the agenda of priorities for promoting research.

A sífilis atinge mais de 12 milhões de pessoas em todo o mundo e os homens são importante fonte de transmissão para suas parcerias, quando inadequadamente diagnosticados e tratados. Fatores indi-viduais relacionados aos homens podem ser importantes barreiras para buscar e aderir ao tratamento adequado. O objetivo deste es-tudo foi descrever aspectos relacionados ao tratamento de homens com diagnóstico de sífilis, na percepção deles, de suas parcerias e de profissionais de saúde. Foi conduzida uma síntese rápida de evidências qualitativas, a partir da análise de estudos primários qua-litativos e posterior descrição dos resultados. A busca foi feita no MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE (via Elsevier), LILACS (via BVS), Psy-cINFO, literatura cinzenta no Google Scholar, sem restrição de língua ou tempo. Dois revisores realizaram a seleção e as discrepâncias fo-ram resolvidas por consenso. A qualidade metodológica foi avaliada utilizando o instrumento CASP. Foram identificados 2.881 estudos, dos quais, após seleção, cinco foram incluídos. Os conteúdos sele-cionados e categorizados para uma melhor apresentação dos resul-tados mostram que os aspectos que podem influenciar a população masculina no tratamento da sífilis estão associados à escolaridade, visão pessoal de gênero, baixa compreensão da doença e dificulda-des de acesso aos serviços, inclusive relacionadas à organização do processo de trabalho.

O interesse em como fortalecer o uso de evidências de pesquisa em processos de tomada de decisão teve um rápido crescimen-to em muitos cenários. A formulação de políticas informadas por evidências tornou-se amplamente institucionalizada no setor da saúde e também vem sendo implementada em muitas outras áre-as de política social. A evidência qualitativa – dados empíricos extraídos de pesquisa que utiliza métodos qualitativos de coleta e análise de dados – pode desempenhar um papel crítico na formu-lação de políticas informadas por evidências porque esse tipo de evidência pode capturar as opiniões e as experiências daqueles afetados por uma intervenção ou opção. A evidência qualitativa também tem o potencial de humanizar os processos de tomada de decisão, e pode ajudar a garantir que as intervenções e as opções selecionadas para abordar problemas de saúde e sociais sejam bem aceitas pelos atores, viáveis de serem implementadas e não piorem iniquidades ou acesso a direitos. Este artigo discute acer-ca da evidência qualitativa e como pode ser usada para informar decisões, especialmente no contexto brasileiro. Apresentamos di-versos estudos de caso que mostram como a evidência qualitativa pode informar o desenvolvimento de políticas para questões-cha-ve dos sistemas de saúde. Então, discutimos sobre o que precisa ser feito no Brasil e na região para fortalecer o uso da evidência qualitativa na tomada de decisão.

Este estudo teve como objetivo sintetizar as evidências sobre mo-tivações, pensamentos e experiências de adolescentes brasileiros com ideação suicida. A busca foi realizada em MEDLINE, EMBA-SE, LILACS, PsycINFO, Google Scholar e Google. A seleção de ar-tigos, a extração de dados e a avaliação da qualidade metodoló-gica foram realizadas por dois pesquisadores independentes. De 3.496 artigos identificados, quatro foram incluídos. As principais motivações para a ideação suicida foram a fragilidade dos víncu-los, quadro depressivo e carência afetiva. Os sentimentos predo-minantes foram solidão, tristeza, desamparo e desesperança. Os pensamentos relacionados com a crença de estar só no mundo e de não enxergar solução para seus sofrimentos e conflitos foram relatados. A ideação suicida pode ser um fenômeno importante entre adolescentes brasileiros, requerendo a atenção da socieda-de, especialmente da academia e governo, para ampliar a base de evidências e a discussão sobre políticas públicas preventivas ao suicídio.

Trata-se de uma Síntese de Evidências cujo problema priorizado foi a prevenção e controle do pé diabético (PD) na Atenção Primá-ria a Saúde (APS). Utilizou-se a ferramenta SUPPORT (Supporting Policy Relevant Reviews and Trials) da Rede para Políticas Informa-das por Evidências. A busca pelas opções ocorreu em fevereiro de 2016 e foi atualizada em outubro de 2018, na Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, Health Systems Evidence, PubMed e Cochane Library. A estratégia de busca deu-se com os termos “pé diabético” and “prevenção”. A busca resultou em 41 textos e 11 foram seleciona-dos para análise. Quatro opções foram identificadas para o enfren-tamento do problema: a) capacitar profissionais da APS no rastre-amento de risco do pé diabético, na orientação para o autocuidado e na coordenação do cuidado de pessoas com diabetes mellitus; b) estimular o autocuidado mediante aferição diária da tempera-tura do pé; c) identificar e realizar o manejo clínico de condições pré-ulcerativas e deformidades nos pés, com encaminhamento a serviços de referência na rede assistencial; d) oferecer pacotes de intervenções complexas. As barreiras para as estratégias foram: não adesão dos pacientes ao autocuidado, sobrecarga e falta de motivação dos profissionais e fragilidades da rede assistencial. O PD é um importante problema de saúde pública que deve ser prio-rizado na agenda dos tomadores de decisão.

The present report describes the process and results obtained with a knowledge translation project developed in three stages to identify barriers to the National Childbirth Guidelines in Brazil as well strategies for effective implementation. The Improving Programme Implementation through Embedded Research (iPIER) model and the Supporting Policy Relevant Reviews and Trials (SUPPORT) tools provided the methodological framework for the project. In the first stage, the quality of the Guidelines was evaluated and the barriers preventing implementation of the recommendations were identified through review of the global evidence and analysis of contributions obtained in a public consultation process. In the second stage, an evidence synthesis was used as basis for a deliberative dialogue aimed at prioritizing the barriers identified. Finally, a second evidence synthesis was presented in a new deliberative dialogue to discuss six options to address the prioritized barriers: 1) promote the use of multifaceted interventions; 2) promote educational interventions for the adoption of guidelines; 3) perform audits and provide feedback to adjust professional practice; 4) use reminders to mediate the interaction between workers and service users; 5) enable patient-mediated interventions; and 6) engage opinion leaders to promote the use of guidelines. The processes and results associated with each stage were documented and formulated to inform a review and update of the Guidelines and the development of an implementation plan for the recommendations. An effective implementation of the Guidelines is relevant to improve the care provided during labor and childbirth in Brazil.En este informe se presentan los procesos y resultados de un proyecto de traducción de conocimiento desarrollado en tres etapas para identificar los obstáculos y las estrategias para la aplicación efectiva de las Directrices Nacionales para el Parto Normal en el Brasil. El marco metodológico adoptado comprendió la iniciativa iPIER (Improving Program Implementation through Embedded Research) y las herramientas SUPPORT para políticas basadas en evidencia. En la primera etapa se evaluó la calidad de las Directrices y se identificaron los obstáculos a la aplicación de las recomendaciones, teniendo en cuenta la evidencia mundial y el análisis de las contribuciones obtenidas mediante una consulta pública. En la segunda etapa, una síntesis de la evidencia sirvió de base para un diálogo deliberativo para la priorización de los obstáculos. Por último, una nueva síntesis de la evidencia sirvió de base para un segundo diálogo deliberativo y presentó seis opciones para hacer frente a los obstáculos priorizados: 1) fomentar el uso de estrategias de intervención polifacéticas; 2) promover intervenciones educativas para mejorar el uso de directrices sanitarias; 3) realizar auditorías y proporcionar retroalimentación para la adecuación de la práctica profesional; 4) utilizar recordatorios para mediar en la interacción entre profesionales y usuarios; 5) permitir intervenciones mediadas por el paciente; y 6) incluir a líderes de opinión para fomentar el uso de directrices sanitarias. Se documentaron y presentaron los procesos y resultados de cada etapa del proyecto para fundamentar la actualización de las Directrices y la elaboración de un plan de aplicación de las recomendaciones. La aplicación efectiva de las Directrices es importante para mejorar la atención del parto y el nacimiento en el Brasil.

To identify barriers to the implementation of National Childbirth Guidelines in Brazil from the women's perspective.A descriptive exploratory study was performed using a qualitative approach and an interpretive perspective. The hermeneutic unit of analysis was established based on the contribution of users to a public online consultation about the National Childbirth Guidelines in Brazil, performed in 2016 by the National Committee for Health Technology Incorporation into the Unified Health System (CONITEC). Content analysis techniques were used to examine the answers provided to the following specific question: "Considering your local reality, what would hinder the implementation of this protocol or guideline?"Of 396 contributions recorded by CONITEC, 55 were included in the content analysis. The mean age of women was 31 years, with most self-declared as white (69%) and living in the Southeast of Brazil (56.3%). Coding revealed seven barrier categories, which were grouped into three families - barriers related to 1) professional training and culture (which highlighted the centrality of physicians, not women, in childbirth), 2) social culture (general population not well informed), and 3) political and management issues (little interest on the part of managers, lower physician compensation for vaginal childbirth vs. Caesarian section, and poor hospital infrastructure).Aspects of professional training and culture, social culture, and political as well as management issues are critical points to be considered in future interventions aiming at overcoming or weakening the barriers to implementing childbirth recommendations in Brazil.Determinar los obstáculos existentes para la aplicación de las directrices de asistencia al parto normal en Brasil desde la perspectiva de las mujeres.Se realizó un estudio descriptivo exploratorio, con un enfoque cualitativo y una perspectiva de investigación interpretativa. La unidad hermenéutica se construyó a partir de los aportes hechos por usuarias a una consulta pública en línea sobre las directrices nacionales de asistencia al parto normal realizada en el 2016 por la Comisión Nacional de Incorporación de Tecnologías (CONITEC) en el Sistema Único de Salud. Se utilizó la metodología de análisis del contenido para examinar específicamente las respuestas a la siguiente pregunta: considerando su realidad local, ¿qué dificultaría la implantación de este protocolo o de esta directriz?En el análisis del contenido se incluyeron 55 de los 396 aportes recibidos por la CONITEC. Las mujeres tenían una media de edad de 31 años y, en su mayoría, eran blancas (69%) y residentes en la región Sudeste de Brasil (56,3%). La codificación reveló siete categorías de obstáculos, agrupados en tres clases, a saber, obstáculos relacionados con 1) la formación y la cultura profesional (con hincapié en la centralidad de los médicos y no de las mujeres en el parto), 2) la cultura social (la falta de información por parte de la población) y 3) las cuestiones de política y gestión (la falta de interés de los gestores, la menor remuneración de los médicos que atienden el parto normal en comparación con quienes practican cesáreas y la falta de infraestructura hospitalaria).Los resultados mostraron que los aspectos relacionados con la formación y la cultura profesional, la cultura social y las cuestiones de política y gestión son puntos críticos que deben considerarse en la realización de intervenciones futuras con objeto de superar o reducir los obstáculos existentes para la aplicación de las recomendaciones de asistencia al parto normal en Brasil.

IntroductionAntiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV/AIDS is associated with adverse events (AEs). However, little is known about the differences in the risk of AEs between women and men living with HIV/AIDS. This study aims to determine (1) whether there are sex differences in the risk of AEs in people with HIV/AIDS treated with ART and (2) the prevalence of AEs to the reproductive system and bone mineral density in women.Methods and analysisThis systematic review (SR) will include randomised trials evaluating ART in people living with HIV/AIDS with at least 12 weeks of duration follow-up. Searches will be conducted in Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, Epistemonikos, Lilacs, trial registries and grey literature databases, without restriction on publication status, year of publication and language. The primary outcome will be the risk of ART discontinuation or drop-outs/withdrawals of ART due to AEs and the number of any treatment-emergent AE. The secondary outcomes are the incidence of serious clinic or laboratory (grade 3 and/or 4) treatment-emergent AEs, hospitalisation, death and AEs specific to the reproductive system and bone mineral density (osteoporosis, osteopenia and fractures) of women. Selection, data extraction and quality assessment will be performed by pairs of reviewers. Cochrane collaboration tools will be used to assess the risk of bias. If appropriate, a meta-analysis will be conducted to synthesise results. The overall quality of the evidence for each outcome will be determined by the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation.Ethics and disseminationThe results of this SR will assist the formulation of public policies aimed at the management and monitoring of AEs of ART in people living with HIV/AIDS. A deliberative dialogue will be scheduled with the Department of Chronic Conditions and Sexually Transmitted Infections of Brazil’s Ministry of Health to align the project with policymakers’ interests.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42021251051.

The literature reports long time lags between the several processes involved in the translation of drug research and development into clinical application. To expedite these processes, translational research has emerged as a process that can be applied to reduce the lag between scientific discoveries and their practical application. Thus, the objective of this study was to estimate the time lag in translational research of biological drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis included in the Brazilian Unified Health System [A descriptive retrospective study was conducted based on secondary data loaded by SUS users in public sources and systems to estimate the time lag between the publication of phase I clinical trial results to drug use in clinical settings. The dates of translational research activities were identified from markers and steps. Structured searches were conducted in the literature and reports from the National Commission for the Incorporation of Technologies in the SUS (Conitec) as well as from health authorities, and analyzed.Between 2012 and 2019, SUS included five biological agents for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The mean time lag from clinical development to use of these agents was 11.13 years (range, 8.57 to 12.90 years). The mean time lag for the stages of translational research were 5.30 (T1-basic research to clinical research), 5.08 (T2-clinical research to research synthesis), and 0.75 (T3-research synthesis to evidence-based practice) years. A shorter time lag was observed in the Brazilian case when it was possible to compare with other studies.The estimated time lag of biological drugs used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis was determined based on the translational research steps model adapted to the Brazilian context. Brazil has instituted legal frameworks that set deadlines for sanitary registration, health technology assessment (HTA), and the availability of drugs in the SUS, thus, allowing for a reduced stage T2 time lag. Nevertheless, improvements are still required in stages T1 and T2, especially in publishing the results of clinical trials.

Resumo O objetivo deste artigo é traduzir e adaptar para a cultura brasileira a ferramenta “Is research working for you? A self-assessment tool and discussion guide for health services management and policy organization”, que auto-avalia a capacidade institucional das organizações de Saúde em Adquirir, Avaliar, Adaptar e Aplicar evidências ciêntificas na tomada de decisão de políticas. Estudo metodológico, analítico, com abordagem quanti-qualitativa. Utilizou-se uma amostra de gestores (n=99), representando 24 organizações em saúde brasileiras, entre outubro de 2018 e novembro de 2020. Adaptações propostas foram realizadas de forma consensual após ajustes das discordâncias do comitê de especialistas - Coeficiente de Kappa [0,41; 0,43 e 0,74]. A Ferramenta 4A, versão brasileira, teve equivalência semântica, idiomática, experimental e conceitual com a original. O valor do Alpha de Cronbach foi de 0,961; o do Coeficiente de Correlação Intraclasse, de 0,960. A Ferramenta 4A é válida e confiável no Brasil quanto à consistência interna e conteúdo. Sua aplicação é catalisadora de ações para estruturar capacidades institucionais de tornar o uso de evidências cientificas sistemático na tomada de decisão das organizações em saúde. Abstract The scope of this article is to translate and adapt the tool “Is research working for you? A self-assessment tool and discussion guide for health services management and policy organization,” which self-assesses the institutional capacity of Health organizations to Acquire, Evaluate, Adapt and Apply scientific evidence in policy decision-making. It is a methodological, analytical study with a quantitative and qualitative approach. A sample of managers was used (n=99), representing 24 Brazilian health organizations, between October 2018 and November 2020. Proposed adaptations were made in a consensual way after adjustments of the disagreements of the expert committee - Kappa coefficient [0.41; 0.43 and 0.74]. Tool 4A, Brazilian version, had semantic, idiomatic, experimental, and conceptual equivalence with the original. The value of Cronbach’s Alpha was 0.961; the value of the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient was 0.960. Tool 4A is valid and reliable in Brazil in terms of internal consistency and content. Its application is a catalyst for actions to structure institutional capacities to make the use of scientific evidence systematic in the decision-making processes of health organizations.

Prezados leitores, Neste ano, em que o Instituto de Saúde está comemorando seu 50º aniversário, é com grande satisfação que oferecemos esta edição do BIS, com o propósito de discutir a relevância das evidências qualitativas para iluminar a tomada de decisão em políticas de saúde. Em todo mundo tem crescido o interesse pelas evidências qualitativas, diante da percepção de que os processos de tomada de decisão precisam considerar fatores relacionados com o contexto social, cultural e axiológico, especialmente para a implementação das políticas públicas, a fim de melhorar sua efetividade. Nesse contexto, as sínteses de evidências qualitativas (SEQ) figuram como a primeira linha de esforços para sistematizar e traduzir, de forma transparente, o conhecimento científico disponível nos estudos qualitativos primários, a fim de torná-lo um subsídio acessível em tempo oportuno para a tomada de decisão.

Resumo O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar um modelo teórico-metodológico como base para a análise da oferta potencial de serviços de saúde pública brasileira a partir de uma abordagem baseada na teoria de redes complexas. O modelo analisou a oferta potencial de serviços de saúde através da relação da distância euclidiana entre setores censitários e serviços/classificadores oferecidos pelos estabelecimentos de saúde, conforme definidos no Cadastro Nacional de Estabelecimentos de Saúde (CNES). São propostos dois tipos de métrica para análise dos relacionamentos: a distância média dos serviços de saúde para com os setores censitários e a importância da unidade de saúde na oferta potencial de cada tipo de serviço com base na centralidade e na disponibilidade deste serviço. Para demonstrar a aplicação do modelo foi construída uma rede com base na Área Metropolitana de Brasília, incluindo o Distrito Federal e 12 municípios do entorno. O modelo demostrou-se capaz de mapear e analisar os dados do CNES com os setores censitários definidos no Censo, abrindo a possibilidade de construção de novas óticas de análise na compreensão da distribuição potencial de recursos e serviços em função de variáveis socioeconômicas, bem como, uma importante ferramenta de gestão informada por evidências. Abstract The scope of this article is to present a theoretical-methodological model as the basis for the analysis of the potential provision of Brazilian public health services (SUS) using an approach based on complex network theory. The model sought to analyze the potential provision of health services through the relationship of Euclidean distance between census sectors and services offered by health facilities, as defined in the National Register of Health Establishments (CNES). Two types of metrics are proposed for the analysis of the relationship network: the average distance of health services to the census sectors and the importance of the health unit in the potential provision of each type of service based on the centrality and availability of this service. To demonstrate the application of the model, a network was built based in the Metropolitan Area of Brasilia, including the Federal District and 12 surrounding municipalities. The model was able to map and analyze CNES data with census sectors defined in the CENSUS, opening up the possibility of constructing new perspectives of analysis in the understanding of the potential distribution of health resources and services according to socioeconomic variables, as well as an important evidence-based management tool.

The scope of this article is to translate and adapt the tool "Is research working for you? A self-assessment tool and discussion guide for health services management and policy organization," which self-assesses the institutional capacity of Health organizations to Acquire, Evaluate, Adapt and Apply scientific evidence in policy decision-making. It is a methodological, analytical study with a quantitative and qualitative approach. A sample of managers was used (n=99), representing 24 Brazilian health organizations, between October 2018 and November 2020. Proposed adaptations were made in a consensual way after adjustments of the disagreements of the expert committee - Kappa coefficient [0.41; 0.43 and 0.74]. Tool 4A, Brazilian version, had semantic, idiomatic, experimental, and conceptual equivalence with the original. The value of Cronbach's Alpha was 0.961; the value of the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient was 0.960. Tool 4A is valid and reliable in Brazil in terms of internal consistency and content. Its application is a catalyst for actions to structure institutional capacities to make the use of scientific evidence systematic in the decision-making processes of health organizations.O objetivo deste artigo é traduzir e adaptar para a cultura brasileira a ferramenta “Is research working for you? A self-assessment tool and discussion guide for health services management and policy organization”, que auto-avalia a capacidade institucional das organizações de Saúde em Adquirir, Avaliar, Adaptar e Aplicar evidências ciêntificas na tomada de decisão de políticas. Estudo metodológico, analítico, com abordagem quanti-qualitativa. Utilizou-se uma amostra de gestores (n=99), representando 24 organizações em saúde brasileiras, entre outubro de 2018 e novembro de 2020. Adaptações propostas foram realizadas de forma consensual após ajustes das discordâncias do comitê de especialistas - Coeficiente de Kappa [0,41; 0,43 e 0,74]. A Ferramenta 4A, versão brasileira, teve equivalência semântica, idiomática, experimental e conceitual com a original. O valor do Alpha de Cronbach foi de 0,961; o do Coeficiente de Correlação Intraclasse, de 0,960. A Ferramenta 4A é válida e confiável no Brasil quanto à consistência interna e conteúdo. Sua aplicação é catalisadora de ações para estruturar capacidades institucionais de tornar o uso de evidências cientificas sistemático na tomada de decisão das organizações em saúde.

Background: The deinstitutionalization process is complex, long-term and many countries fail to achieve progress and consolidation. Informing decision-makers about appropriate strategies and changes in mental health policies can be a key factor for it. This study aimed to develop an evidence brief to summarize the best available evidence to improve care for deinstitutionalized patients with severe mental disorders in the community.Methods: We used the SUPPORT (Supporting Policy Relevant Reviews and Trials) tools to elaborate the evidence brief and to organize a policy dialogue with 24 stakeholders. A systematic search was performed in 10 electronic databases and the methodological quality of systematic reviews (SRs) was assessed by AMSTAR 2.Results: Fifteen SRs were included (comprising 378 studies and 69,736 participants), of varying methodological quality (3 high-quality SRs, 2 moderate-quality SRs, 7 low-quality SRs, 3 critically low SRs). Six strategies were identified: (i). Psychoeducation; (ii). Anti-stigma programs, (iii). Intensive case management; (iv). Community mental health teams; (v). Assisted living; and (vi). Interventions for acute psychiatric episodes. They were associated with improvements on a global status, satisfaction with the service, reduction on relapse, and hospitalization. Challenges to implementation of any of them included: stigma, the shortage of specialized human resources, limited political and budgetary support.Conclusions: These strategies could guide future actions and policymaking to improve mental health outcomes.

Background: Many governments have introduced pay-for-performance programmes to incentivise health providers to improve quality of care. Evidence on whether these programmes reduce or exacerbate disparities in health care is scarce. In this study, we aimed to assess socioeconomic inequalities in the performance of family health teams under Brazil's National Programme for Improving Primary Care Access and Quality (PMAQ). Methods: For this longitudinal study, we analysed data on the quality of care delivered by family health teams participating in PMAQ over three rounds of implementation: round 1 (November, 2011, to March, 2013), round 2 (April, 2013, to September, 2015), and round 3 (October, 2015, to December, 2019). The primary outcome was the percentage of the maximum performance score obtainable by family health teams (the PMAQ score), based on several hundred (ranging from 598 to 914) indicators of health-care delivery. Using census data on household income of local areas, we examined the PMAQ score by income ventile. We used ordinary least squares regressions to examine the association between PMAQ scores and the income of each local area across implementation rounds, and we did an analysis of variance to assess geographical variation in PMAQ score. Findings: Of the 40 361 family health teams that were registered as ever participating in PMAQ, we included 13 934 teams that participated in the three rounds of PMAQ in our analysis. These teams were located in 11 472 census areas and served approximately 48 million people. The mean PMAQ score was 61·0% (median 61·8, IQR 55·3–67·9) in round 1, 55·3% (median 56·0, IQR 47·6–63·4) in round 2, and 61·6% (median 62·7, IQR 54·4–69·9) in round 3. In round 1, we observed a positive socioeconomic gradient, with the mean PMAQ score ranging from 56·6% in the poorest group to 64·1% in the richest group. Between rounds 1 and 3, mean PMAQ performance increased by 7·1 percentage points for the poorest group and decreased by 0·8 percentage points for the richest group (p

BackgroundEvidence on the effect of pay-for-performance (P4P) schemes on provider performance is mixed in low-income and middle-income countries. Brazil introduced its first national-level P4P scheme in 2011 (PMAQ-Brazilian National Programme for Improving Primary Care Access and Quality). PMAQ is likely one of the largest P4P schemes in the world. We estimate the association between PMAQ and hospitalisations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) based on a panel of 5564 municipalities.MethodsWe conducted a fixed effect panel data analysis over the period of 2009–2018, controlling for coverage of primary healthcare, hospital beds per 10 000 population, education, real gross domestic product per capita and population density. The outcome is the hospitalisation rate for ACSCs among people aged 64 years and under per 10 000 population. Our exposure variable is defined as the percentage of family health teams participating in PMAQ, which captures the roll-out of PMAQ over time. We also provided several sensitivity analyses, by using alternative measures of the exposure and outcome variables, and a placebo test using transport accident hospitalisations instead of ACSCs.ResultsThe results show a negative and statistically significant association between the rollout of PMAQ and ACSC rates for all age groups. An increase in PMAQ participating of one percentage point decreased the hospitalisation rate for ACSC by 0.0356 (SE 0.0123, p=0.004) per 10 000 population (aged 0–64 years). This corresponds to a reduction of approximately 60 829 hospitalisations in 2018. The impact is stronger for children under 5 years (−0.0940, SE 0.0375, p=0.012), representing a reduction of around 11 936 hospitalisations. Our placebo test shows that the association of PMAQ on the hospitalisation rate for transport accidents is not statistically significant, as expected.ConclusionWe find that PMAQ was associated with a modest reduction in hospitalisation for ACSCs.

Background N95 respiratory protection masks are used by healthcare professionals to prevent contamination from infectious microorganisms transmitted by droplets or aerosols. Methods We conducted a rapid review of the literature analyzing the effectiveness of decontamination methods for mask reuse. The database searches were carried out up to September 2020. The systematic review was conducted in a way which simplified the stages of a complete systematic review, due to the worldwide necessity for reliable fast evidences on this matter. Results A total of 563 articles were retrieved of which 48 laboratory-based studies were selected. Fifteen decontamination methods were included in the studies. A total of 19 laboratory studies used hydrogen peroxide, 21 studies used ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, 4 studies used ethylene oxide, 11 studies used dry heat, 9 studies used moist heat, 5 studies used ethanol, two studies used isopropanol solution, 11 studies used microwave oven, 10 studies used sodium hypochlorite, 7 studies used autoclave, 3 studies used an electric rice cooker, 1 study used cleaning wipes, 1 study used bar soap, 1 study used water, 1 study used multi-purpose high-level disinfection cabinet, and another 1 study used chlorine dioxide. Five methods that are promising are as follows: hydrogen peroxide vapor, ultraviolet irradiation, dry heat, wet heat/pasteurization, and microwave ovens. Conclusions We have presented the best available evidence on mask decontamination; nevertheless, its applicability is limited due to few studies on the topic and the lack of studies on real environments.

Background: N95 respiratory protection masks are used by healthcare professionals to prevent contamination with infectious microorganisms transmitted by droplets or aerosols.Methods: We conducted a rapid review of the literature analyzing the effectiveness of decontamination methods for mask reuse. The review was carried out in September 2020 using a simplification of the formal systematic review process, which simplified the stages of a complete systematic review, including the exclusion of an assessment of study methodology.Results: A total of 563 articles were retrieved of which 48 laboratory-based studies were selected. Fifteen decontamination methods were included in the studies. Hydrogen peroxide was evaluated by 19 laboratory studies, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation by 21, ethylene oxide by 4, dry heat by 11, moist heat by 9, ethanol by 5, isopropanol solution by 2, microwave oven by 11, sodium hypochlorite by 10, autoclave by 7, electric rice cooker by 3, cleaning wipes by 1, bar soap and water 1, multi-Purpose High-Level Disinfection Cabinet by 1 and chlorine dioxide by 1. Five methods appear promising: hydrogen peroxide vapor, ultraviolet irradiation, dry heat, wet heat/pasteurization, and microwave ovens.Conclusions: Positive results should be considered with caution as they represent a small number of studies, reflect ideal laboratory conditions, and may have limited applicability in realistic situations and for health systems.

Analyze the implementation of the strategy e-SUS Atenção Básica (e-SUS AB - e-SUS Primary Care) in Brazil between the first years of the system, from 2013 to 2019.This is a quantitative, descriptive, and exploratory study. We considered official data from the Ministry of Health, submitted by Brazilian municipalities, in the period from April 2013 to December 2019. We categorized the municipalities as 'not implemented', 'initial implementation', 'partial implementation' and 'implemented' according to the criteria defined in this study. We also verified whether the type of municipality, according to the IBGE classification, influenced the degree of implementation of the e-SUS AB strategy. We performed descriptive analyses and investigated the association between the degrees of implementation of e-SUS AB and the typology of the IBGE classification and characterization of rural and urban spaces.The implementation increased in the analyzed period. The implementation status of the e-SUS AB strategy in 2019 was 'implemented' in 20.2% (1,117) of the municipalities, 'partial implementation' in 32.9% (1,819), 'initial implementation' in 39.1% (2,159) and 'not implemented' in 7.8% (432). The South and Southeast regions presented the best implementation situation in all years, and the states of Rio Grande do Sul, São Paulo and Santa Catarina reached a higher percentage of municipalities with 'implemented' status in 2019.We confirmed the progress in the implementation of the e-SUS AB strategy over the years. Most of the municipalities are between the status 'initial implementation' and 'partial implementation'. Therefore, we conclude that investments in technological resources, training of professionals, and support are necessary to qualify the implementation and use of information systems in the country, especially for the e-SUS AB strategy.

The present report describes the process and results obtained with a knowledge translation project developed in three stages to identify barriers to the Implementation of the National Guidelines for Normal Childbirth in Brazil, as well strategies for effective implementation. The Improving Programme Implementation through Embedded Research (iPIER) model and the Supporting Policy Relevant Reviews and Trials (SUPPORT) tools provided the methodological framework for the project. In the first stage, the quality of the Guidelines was evaluated and the barriers preventing implementation of the recommendations were identified through review of the global evidence and analysis of contributions obtained in a public consultation process. In the second stage, an evidence synthesis was used as the basis for a deliberative dialogue aimed at prioritizing the barriers identified. Finally, a second evidence synthesis was presented in a new deliberative dialogue to discuss six options to address the prioritized barriers: 1) promote the use of multifaceted interventions; 2) promote educational interventions for the adoption of guidelines; 3) perform audits and provide feedback to adjust professional practice; 4) use reminders to mediate the interaction between workers and service users; 5) enable patient-mediated interventions; and 6) engage opinion leaders to promote use of the Guidelines. The processes and results associated with each stage were documented and formulated to inform a review and update of the Guidelines and the development of an implementation plan for the recommendations. Effective implementation of the Guidelines is important for improving the care provided during labor and childbirth in Brazil.En este informe se presentan los procesos y resultados de un proyecto de traducción de conocimiento desarrollado en tres etapas para identificar los obstáculos y las estrategias para la aplicación efectiva de las Directrices Nacionales para el Parto Normal en el Brasil. El marco metodológico adoptado comprendió la iniciativa iPIER (Improving Program Implementation through Embedded Research) y las herramientas SUPPORT para políticas basadas en evidencia. En la primera etapa se evaluó la calidad de las Directrices y se identificaron los obstáculos a la aplicación de las recomendaciones, teniendo en cuenta la evidencia mundial y el análisis de las contribuciones obtenidas mediante una consulta pública. En la segunda etapa, una síntesis de la evidencia sirvió de base para un diálogo deliberativo para la priorización de los obstáculos. Por último, una nueva síntesis de la evidencia sirvió de base para un segundo diálogo deliberativo y presentó seis opciones para hacer frente a los obstáculos priorizados: 1) fomentar el uso de estrategias de intervención polifacéticas; 2) promover intervenciones educativas para mejorar el uso de directrices sanitarias; 3) realizar auditorías y proporcionar retroalimentación para la adecuación de la práctica profesional; 4) utilizar recordatorios para mediar en la interacción entre profesionales y usuarios; 5) permitir intervenciones mediadas por el paciente; y 6) incluir a líderes de opinión para fomentar el uso de directrices sanitarias. Se documentaron y presentaron los procesos y resultados de cada etapa del proyecto para fundamentar la actualización de las Directrices y la elaboración de un plan de aplicación de las recomendaciones. La aplicación efectiva de las Directrices es importante para mejorar la atención del parto y el nacimiento en el Brasil.

Background The judicialization of health care can be understood as a societal response to pressing healthcare needs, which probably are not being adequately addressed by the current healthcare system. This phenomenon increases the strain on service resources, both in the health sector and in the judiciary system as well, demanding an institutional reorganization to manage judicial actions. It is believed that each institution has developed strategies for coping with the problem in isolation and with little public disclosure. The purpose of this review will be to identify institutional strategies implemented and to investigate their effects in approaching the judicialization of health care. Methods Electronic searches will be conducted up to December 2021 on 11 databases, supplemented with gray literature and references lists of secondary studies. The descriptor “judicialization of health” will be the basis for conducting the main research. Studies describing any strategy implemented by public institutions to approach the judicialization of health care will be included. Results related to the quality of services provided by the implemented strategy reported in the studies and those that report accessibility, usability, and potential adverse effects or harms caused by the implemented strategy will be investigated. In addition, it will be explored if there have been changes related to the value or characteristics of health litigation. Two reviewers will independently screen all citations, abstract data, and full-text papers. The risk of bias in each study will be appraised using a tool suggested by Cochrane Effective Practice and Care Organization Group (EPOC). Subsequently, the reviewers will also extract the data of interest and classify the findings of these studies according to their performance at the institutional level. The results obtained will be described as a narrative synthesis. Discussion This review may provide evidence on the effects of the strategies implemented to approach the judicialization of health care. It will potentially benefit health care and legal professionals, decision-makers, and researchers by identifying the types and characteristics of strategies that have the potential to improve service delivery in the future. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42020160608

The objective was to analyze the situation of the Metropolitan Area of Brasília (AMB) before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the availability and geographical accessibility of critical resources for the treatment of acute respiratory crises caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Geographic mapping of the population within the territory and geolocation of health facilities and resources, construction of a relationship network between the potential demand simulated to the public health system and the supply of resources available in December 2019. The relationship analysis is based on the theory of complex networks crossing socioeconomic data available in the CENSUS and information from the National Registry of Health Establishments (CNES) and analyzing the micro relationship of census tracts with the stock and availability of health resources concerning Adult ICU Bed Type II/III and Respirators/Ventilators. The Federal District (DF) health facilities concentrate more than 75% of the relationships of potential access to critical resources for the treatment of COVID-19. Although the regions surrounding the DF, belonging to Goiás state, have the greatest relative vulnerability in the studied territory, they are also the most lacking in spatial accessibility and availability of resources, evidencing a care imbalance within the AMB region.O objetivo deste artigo é analisar a situação da Área Metropolitana de Brasília (AMB) antes do início da pandemia de COVID-19 com foco na disponibilidade e acessibilidade de recursos críticos para o tratamento da crise aguda respiratória causada pelo vírus SARS-CoV-2. Mapeamento geográfico da população e geolocalização dos estabelecimentos e recursos de saúde, construção de rede de relacionamentos entre a demanda potencial ao sistema de saúde público e a oferta de recursos existente em dez/2019. Análise baseada na teoria de redes complexas cruzando dados socioeconômicos disponíveis no CENSO, dados do Cadastro Nacional de Estabelecimentos de Saúde (CNES) e o micro relacionamento dos setores censitários e suas populações com o estoque e disponibilidade de recursos do tipo Leito de UTI Adulto Tipo II/III e Respiradores Mecânicos. Estabelecimentos do Distrito Federal (DF) concentram mais de 75% dos relacionamentos de acesso potencial aos recursos críticos para o tratamento de COVID-19. Embora as regiões do entorno do DF, pertencentes ao Goiás, apresentem a maior vulnerabilidade relativa no território estudado, são também as mais carentes de acessibilidade e disponibilidade de recursos, evidenciando um desequilíbrio assistencial dentro da região da AMB.

To identify potential barriers to the implementation of the National Childbirth Guidelines in Brazil based on the best available global evidence.A rapid review of evidence was performed in six databases in March/April 2019. Secondary studies published in English, Spanish, or Portuguese with a focus on barriers of any nature relating to the implementation of the Guidelines were retrieved.Twenty-three documents (21 reviews and two practice guides) were included in the review. The barriers identified were grouped into 52 meaning categories and then reorganized into nine thematic clusters: delivery and childbirth care model, human resource management, knowledge and beliefs, gender relations, health care service management, attitudes and behaviors, communication, socioeconomic conditions, and political interests.The results show that combined approaches may be required to address different barriers to the implementation of the Guidelines. For successful implementation, it is essential to engage health care leaders, professionals, and users in the effort to change the delivery and childbirth care model. Also necessary is the development of intersectoral initiatives to improve the socioeconomic conditions of women and families and to curtail gender inequalities.Identificar los posibles obstáculos a la aplicación de las recomendaciones formuladas en las Directrices Nacionales para la Atención del Parto Normal en Brasil a partir de la mejor evidencia disponible a nivel mundial.En marzo/abril de 2019 se llevó a cabo una revisión rápida de seis bases de datos. Se seleccionaron estudios secundarios publicados en español, inglés o portugués sobre los obstáculos de cualquier tipo que pudieran estar relacionados con la aplicación de las recomendaciones contenidas en las Directrices.Se incluyeron 23 documentos (21 revisiones sistemáticas y 2 guías de práctica clínica). Los obstáculos identificados se agruparon en 52 categorías con base en su semejanza de significado y luego se reorganizaron en nueve grupos temáticos: modelo de atención del parto, gestión de recursos humanos, creencias y conocimientos, relaciones de género, gestión de servicios de salud, actitudes y comportamientos, comunicación, condiciones socioeconómicas e intereses políticos.La aplicación de las Directrices puede requerir enfoques combinados para hacer frente a diferentes obstáculos. La participación de los administradores y los trabajadores de la salud en el proceso de cambio del modelo de atención del parto, así como la participación de los usuarios, son fundamentales para que la aplicación de las Directrices sea satisfactoria. Además, se necesitan medidas intersectoriales para mejorar las condiciones socioeconómicas de las mujeres y las familias y para combatir las desigualdades entre los géneros.

Background The judicialization of health care is a social claim concerning the right to the access to health care. It usually occurs due to gaps in public policy or failures in its application. In Brazil, several public institutions have implemented strategies to approach this phenomenon. However, these strategies have not yet been systematized into functional categories. Objective To categorize and analyze the strategies implemented by public institutions in Brazil to approach the judicialization of health care. Method A systematic scoping review was developed following the method proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. The descriptor 'judicialization of health' was used to conduct the searches for studies in 18 electronic databases and other types of documents in the gray literature until March 2019. Documents containing the reports of strategies implemented in public institutions to approach the judicialization of health care in Brazil were included. Two independent reviewers assessed the eligibility of the documents and extracted the data. The strategies identified were categorized using definitions from the World Health Organization and existing Brazilian legislation. Results Seventy eight implemented strategies were identified and organized into nine categories: i. Technical support to the judiciary; ii. State health committees; iii. Organization of assistance; iv. Compliance with court orders, v. Computerized information systems; vi. Administrative proceeding; vii. Defense of the public authority; viii. Pharmacy and therapeutics committee; ix. Alternative dispute resolution. These categories are not mutually exclusive and often act in concert or complement each other's activities. They represent services either existing or provided for in legal provisions by the public administration to meet various types of demands. Conclusions The categories proposed to approach the judicialization of health care represent some of the recommendations for qualifying public administration or are provided for in Brazilian legislation, or both. The existence of recommendations and legislation facilitate, but do not guarantee, the implementation of strategies by public institutions.

Background While there is an ample literature on the evaluation of knowledge translation interventions aimed at healthcare providers, managers, and policy-makers, there has been less focus on patients and their informal caregivers. Further, no overview of the literature on dissemination strategies aimed at healthcare users and their caregivers has been conducted. The overview has two specific research questions: (1) to determine the most effective strategies that have been used to disseminate knowledge to healthcare recipients, and (2) to determine the barriers (and facilitators) to dissemination of knowledge to this group. Methods This overview used systematic review methods and was conducted according to a pre-defined protocol. A comprehensive search of ten databases and five websites was conducted. Both published and unpublished reviews in English, Spanish, or Portuguese were included. A methodological quality assessment was conducted; low-quality reviews were excluded. A narrative synthesis was undertaken, informed by a matrix of strategy by outcome measure. The Health System Evidence taxonomy for “consumer targeted strategies” was used to separate strategies into one of six categories. Results We identified 44 systematic reviews that describe the effective strategies to disseminate health knowledge to the public, patients, and caregivers. Some of these reviews also describe the most important barriers to the uptake of these effective strategies. When analyzing those strategies with the greatest potential to achieve behavioral changes, the majority of strategies with sufficient evidence of effectiveness were combined, frequent, and/or intense over time. Further, strategies focused on the patient, with tailored interventions, and those that seek to acquire skills and competencies were more effective in achieving these changes. In relation to barriers and facilitators, while the lack of health literacy or e-literacy could increase inequities, the benefits of social media were also emphasized, for example by widening access to health information for ethnic minorities and lower socioeconomic groups. Conclusions Those interventions that have been shown to be effective in improving knowledge uptake or health behaviors should be implemented in practice, programs, and policies—if not already implemented. When implementing strategies, decision-makers should consider the barriers and facilitators identified by this overview to ensure maximum effectiveness. Protocol registration PROSPERO: CRD42018093245.

O pagamento por desempenho é usado em todo o mundo para apoiar a melhoria dos processos e resultados em saúde, mas ainda há considerável lacuna de conhecimento sobre seus efeitos, especialmente pela variedade de modelos e contextos. Esta síntese de evidências usa o resultado de revisões sistemáticas para apresentar três opções para apoiar o uso de incentivos financeiros em programas e serviços de saúde:1) adotar medidas de desempenho objetivas, simples e voltadas para ocurto prazo;2) estabelecer como base para a concessão de incentivos crité‑rios absolutos, relativos ou mistos, fáceis de ser compreendidos eacompanhados e3) utilizar incentivos financeiros ou de reconhecimento com magnitu‑de adequada ao nível de motivação necessário para a mudança depretendida. Além disso, o uso de incentivos requer a participaçãoativa dos sujeitos envolvidos e deve ser precedido de planejamentorigoroso apoiado pelas melhores evidências, para determinar osseguintes elementos: o agente‑alvo; objetivos e metas; forma demensuração, monitoramento e avaliação dos resultados; modalidadede recompensas. Fatores institucionais e contextuais podem afetarsignificativamente a implementação e os resultados. O monitoramentoe avaliação dos incentivos devem focar a adequação aos resultadospretendidos e a ocorrência de efeitos involuntários ou indesejados.

Background: Knowledge Translation (KT) is an effective strategy that uses the best available research evidence to bring stakeholders together to develop solutions and improve public health policy-making. Despite progress, the process of deinstitutionalisation in Brazil is still undergoing consolidation, and the changes and challenges that are involved in this process are complex and necessitate evidence-informed decision-making. Accordingly, this study used KT tools to support efforts that aim to improve the care that is available to deinstitutionalised people with severe mental disorders in Brazil. Methods: We used the Supporting Policy relevant Reviews and Trials (SUPPORT) Tools for evidence-informed health Policymaking (STP) and followed eight steps: 1) capacity building; 2) identification of a priority policy issue within a Brazilian public health system; 3) meetings with policy-makers, researchers and stakeholders; 4) development of an evidence brief (EB) that addresses the problem of deinstitutionalisation; 5) facilitating policy dialogue (PD); 6) the evaluation of the EB and PD; 7) post-dialogue mini-interviews; and 8) dissemination of the findings. Results: Capacity building and meetings with key informants promoted awareness about the gap between research and practice. Local findings were used to define the problem and develop the EB. Twenty-four individuals (policy-makers, stakeholders, researchers, representatives of the civil society and public defence) participated in the PD. They received the EB to subsidise their deliberations during the PD, which in turn were used to validate and improve the EB. The PD achieved the objective of promoting an exhaustive discussion about the problem and proposed options and improved communication and interaction among those who are involved in mental health care. The features of both the EB and PD were considered to be favourable and helpful. Conclusions: The KT strategy helped participants understand different perspectives and values, the interpersonal tensions that exist among those who are involved in the field of mental health, and the strategies that can bridge the gap between research and policy-making. The present findings suggest that policy dialogues can influence practice by promoting greater engagement among stakeholders who formulate or revise mental health policies.

BackgroundImproving access and quality in health care is a pressing issue worldwide and pay for performance (P4P) strategies have emerged as an alternative to enhance structure, process and outcomes in health. In 2011, Brazil adopted its first P4P scheme at national level, the National Programme for Improving Primary Care Access and Quality (PMAQ). The contribution of PMAQ in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals related to maternal and childcare remains under investigated in Brazil.ObjectiveTo estimate the association of PMAQ with the provision of maternal and childcare in Brazil, controlling for socioeconomic, geographic and family health team characteristics.MethodWe used cross-sectional quantile regression (QR) models for two periods, corresponding to 33,368 Family Health Teams (FHTs) in the first cycle and 39,211 FHTs in the second cycle of PMAQ. FHTs were analysed using data from the Brazilian Ministry of Health (SIAB and CNES) and the Brazilian Institute for Geography and Statistics (IBGE).ResultsThe average number of antenatal consultations per month were positively associated with PMAQ participating teams, with larger effect in the lower tail (10th and 25th quantiles) of the conditional distribution of the response variable. There was a positive association between PMAQ and the average number of consultations under 2 years old per month in the 10th and 25th quantiles, but a negative association in the upper tail (75th and 90th quantiles). For the average number of physician consultations for children under 1 year old per month, PMAQ participating teams were positively associated with the response variable in the lower tail, but different from the previous models, there is no clear evidence that the second cycle gives larger coefficients compared with first cycle.ConclusionPMAQ has contributed to increase the provision of care to pregnant women and children under 2 years at primary healthcare level. Teams with lower average number of antenatal or child consultations benefited the most by participating in PMAQ, which suggests that PMAQ might motivate worse performing health providers to catch up.

The scope of this article is to present a theoretical-methodological model as the basis for the analysis of the potential provision of Brazilian public health services (SUS) using an approach based on complex network theory. The model sought to analyze the potential provision of health services through the relationship of Euclidean distance between census sectors and services offered by health facilities, as defined in the National Register of Health Establishments (CNES). Two types of metrics are proposed for the analysis of the relationship network: the average distance of health services to the census sectors and the importance of the health unit in the potential provision of each type of service based on the centrality and availability of this service. To demonstrate the application of the model, a network was built based in the Metropolitan Area of Brasilia, including the Federal District and 12 surrounding municipalities. The model was able to map and analyze CNES data with census sectors defined in the CENSUS, opening up the possibility of constructing new perspectives of analysis in the understanding of the potential distribution of health resources and services according to socioeconomic variables, as well as an important evidence-based management tool.O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar um modelo teórico-metodológico como base para a análise da oferta potencial de serviços de saúde pública brasileira a partir de uma abordagem baseada na teoria de redes complexas. O modelo analisou a oferta potencial de serviços de saúde através da relação da distância euclidiana entre setores censitários e serviços/classificadores oferecidos pelos estabelecimentos de saúde, conforme definidos no Cadastro Nacional de Estabelecimentos de Saúde (CNES). São propostos dois tipos de métrica para análise dos relacionamentos: a distância média dos serviços de saúde para com os setores censitários e a importância da unidade de saúde na oferta potencial de cada tipo de serviço com base na centralidade e na disponibilidade deste serviço. Para demonstrar a aplicação do modelo foi construída uma rede com base na Área Metropolitana de Brasília, incluindo o Distrito Federal e 12 municípios do entorno. O modelo demostrou-se capaz de mapear e analisar os dados do CNES com os setores censitários definidos no Censo, abrindo a possibilidade de construção de novas óticas de análise na compreensão da distribuição potencial de recursos e serviços em função de variáveis socioeconômicas, bem como, uma importante ferramenta de gestão informada por evidências.

To evaluate capacities, organizational arrangements, and barriers to the implementation of Evidence Centers (NEvs) as part of Brazil's Evidence-Informed Policy Network (EVIPNet).A mixed methods descriptive-analytical, multiple-case exploratory study was performed. Coordinators of active NEvs answered a questionnaire in three parts: participant characteristics, assessment of the capacity to "acquire, assess, adapt, and apply" evidence (4A), and open questions addressing organizational arrangements and barriers to the implementation of NEvs.The study included 15 NEvs, mostly from the Midwest; 73.3% were based in universities, while 20% were installed in state/city health departments or in the Ministry of Health. All coordinators had completed graduate training and 80% reported 1 to 5 years' experience with evidence-based policies as well as proficiency in English. None of the participants worked exclusively as NEv coordinator. NEv teams included health care professionals, students (undergraduate/graduate), professors, and civil servants from health departments. The data revealed high capacity to "acquire" and "assess" evidence, and low capacity to "adapt" and "apply" evidence. On average, three activities or products were developed yearly by each NEv, especially knowledge translation initiatives (systematic reviews and deliberative dialogues) and training for health care professionals, managers and undergraduate/graduate students. Five barrier categories were described: 1) financing, 2) network integration, 3) institutionalization of demands, 4) adaptive capacity, and 5) research communication skills to recommend actions at the local level.Trained human resources associated with academic and research institutions are available to support evidence-informed policies. However, the sustainability of NEvs depends on coordinated action to ensure the capacity to adapt and apply evidence.Evaluar la capacidad, los arreglos organizativos y los obstáculos existentes para la aplicación de los núcleos de evidencia (NEv) de la Red de Políticas Informadas por Evidencia (EVIPNet) en Brasil.Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, analítico y exploratorio de casos múltiples, con un enfoque mixto. Los coordinadores de los NEv activos en el país respondieron a un instrumento dividido en tres partes: caracterización de la persona encuestada, evaluación de la capacidad de “adquirir, evaluar, adaptar y aplicar” evidencia (conocidas como 4A por su sigla en portugués) y temas de discusión abierta en los cuales se abordaron los arreglos organizativos y los obstáculos existentes para la aplicación de los NEv.Participaron en la investigación 5 NEv concentrados en la región Centro-Oeste; 73,3% tenían su sede en universidades y un 20% en secretarías estatales/municipales o en el Ministerio de Salud. Todos los coordinadores participantes tenían título de posgrado en sentido amplio o estricto y 80% afirmaron que tenían experiencia de 1 a 5 años en políticas informadas por evidencia (PIE) y que dominaban el inglés. Ningún coordinador trabajaba exclusivamente en el NEv. Los equipos incluían profesionales de salud, estudiantes (de grado/posgrado), profesores universitarios y empleados en comisión de servicio en las secretarías de salud. Se determinó que tenían gran capacidad para “adquirir” y “evaluar” y poca capacidad para “adaptar” y “aplicar” evidencias. En cuanto a actividades y productos, prevaleció la media de tres al año, con hincapié en los productos de traducción del conocimiento (la síntesis de la evidencia y los diálogos deliberantes) y la capacitación para profesionales de salud, gestores y alumnos de grado/posgrado. Se describieron cinco clases de obstáculos: 1) financiamiento, 2) integración de la red, 3) institucionalización de las demandas, 4) capacidad de adaptación y 5) habilidades de comunicación de las investigaciones para recomendar la adopción de medidas en el nivel local.Existen recursos humanos capacitados, vinculados a instituciones de investigación y enseñanza, para apoyar las PIE. Sin embargo, la sostenibilidad de los NEv depende de la adopción de medidas coordinadas para garantizar que existe la capacidad de adaptar y aplicar evidencia.

Background: Patients over 65 years of age taking multiple medications face several risks, and pharmaceutical interventions can be useful to improve quality of care and reduce those risks. However, there is still no consensus on the effectiveness of these interventions aimed at promoting changes in clinical, epidemiological, economic, and humanistic outcomes for various service delivery, organizational, financial, and implementation-based interventions. The objective of this overview of systematic reviews was to summarize evidence on the effectiveness of community-level pharmaceutical interventions to reduce the risks associated with polypharmacy in the population over 65 years of age. Method: This overview used a previously described protocol to search for systematic review articles, with and without meta-analysis, and economic evaluations, without any language or time restrictions, including articles published up to May 2018. The following databases were searched: the Cochrane Library, Epistemonikos, Health Evidence, Health Systems Evidence, Virtual Health Library, and Google Scholar. The basic search terms used were "elderly," "polypharmacy," and "pharmaceutical interventions." The findings for outcomes of interest were categorized using a taxonomy for health policies and systems. Equity-related questions were also investigated. The studies were evaluated for methodological quality and produced a narrative synthesis. Results: A total of 642 records were retrieved: 50 from Health Evidence, 197 from Epistemonikos, 194 from Cochrane, 116 from Health Systems Evidence, and 85 from the Virtual Health Library. Of these, 16 articles were selected: 1 overview of systematic reviews, 12 systematic reviews, and 3 economic evaluations. There is evidence of improvement in clinical, epidemiological, humanistic, and economic outcomes for various types of community-level pharmaceutical interventions, but differences in observed outcomes may be due to study designs, primary study sample sizes, risk of bias, difficulty in aggregating data, heterogeneity of indicators and quality of evidence included in the systematic reviews that were assessed. It is necessary to optimize the methodological designs of future primary and secondary studies. Conclusion: Community-level pharmaceutical interventions can improve various clinical, epidemiological, humanistic and economic outcomes and potentially reduce risks associated with polypharmacy in the elderly population.

Objetivo. Avaliar capacidades, arranjos organizativos e barreiras à implementação dos Núcleos de Evidências (NEvs) da Rede de Políticas Informadas por Evidências (EVIPNet) no Brasil. Métodos. Realizou-se um estudo exploratório de casos múltiplos, descritivo-analítico, com abordagem mista. Os coordenadores dos NEvs em atividade no país responderam um instrumento com três partes: caracterização do respondente, avaliação da capacidade de “adquirir, avaliar, adaptar e aplicar” evidências (4A) e questões abertas abordando arranjos organizativos e barreiras à implementação dos NEvs. Resultados. Participaram da pesquisa 15 NEvs, concentrados no Centro-Oeste; 73,3% estavam sediados em universidades e 20% em secretarias estaduais/municipais ou no Ministério da Saúde. Dos coordenadores participantes, 100% possuíam pós-graduação lato e/ou strictu sensu e 80% referiram experiência de 1 a 5 anos em políticas informadas por evidências (PIE) e proficiência em inglês. Nenhum coordenador atuava exclusivamente no NEv. As equipes incluíam profissionais de saúde, estudantes (graduação/pós-graduação), docentes de universidades e servidores efetivos em secretarias de saúde. Foram identificadas alta capacidade para “adquirir” e “avaliar” e baixa capacidade para “adaptar” e “aplicar” evidências. Quanto a atividades e produtos, prevaleceu a média de três por ano, com destaque para produtos de tradução do conhecimento (sínteses de evidência e diálogos deliberativos) e capacitação para profissionais de saúde, gestores e alunos de graduação/pós-graduação. Cinco categorias de barreiras foram descritas: 1) financiamento, 2) integração da rede, 3) institucionalização das demandas, 4) capacidade de adaptação e 5) habilidades de comunicação de pesquisa para recomendar ações no nível local. Conclusões. Existem recursos humanos capacitados, vinculados a instituições de pesquisa e ensino, para apoiar as PIE. No entanto, a sustentabilidade dos NEvs depende de ações coordenadas para garantir a capacidade de adaptar e aplicar evidências.

O Pagamento por Desempenho (P4P) é usado em todo o mundo visando à melhoria dos resultados em saúde, e no Brasil é base do Programa Nacional de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade (PMAQ), lançado pelo Ministério da Saúde, em 2011. Revisou-se a literatura publicada entre 1998 e janeiro de 2013, sobre a efetividade do P4P, para produzir resultados ou padrões de acesso e qualidade na saúde. Foram recuperados e analisados 138 estudos, sendo incluídos 41 (14 revisões sistemáticas, 7 ensaios clínicos e 20 estudos observacionais). Estudos mais rigorosos foram menos favoráveis ao P4P, enquanto estudos observacionais apontaram efeitos positivos do P4P sobre a qualidade e o acesso nos serviços de saúde. Limitações metodológicas dos estudos observacionais podem ter contribuído para tais resultados, mas a variedade de resultados está mais ligada aos aspectos conceituais e contextuais dos esquemas de P4P avaliados, reforçando a heterogeneidade de modelos e resultados do P4P. O P4P pode ser útil para promover o alcance de objetivos em sistemas de saúde, especialmente no curto prazo e para ações pontuais que exijam menos esforço dos provedores de serviços de saúde, mas deve ser utilizado com cautela e com planejamento rigoroso do modelo, considerando-se também efeitos indesejáveis ou adversos. Pay-for-performance (P4P) has been widely used around the world seeking to improve health outcomes, and in Brazil it is the basis of the National Program for Improving Access and Quality (PMAQ). The literature published between 1998 and January 2013 that evaluated the effectiveness of P4P to produce results or patterns of access and quality in health was scrutinized. A total of 138 studies, with the inclusion of a further 41 studies (14 systematic reviews, 07 clinical trials and 20 observational studies) were retrieved and analyzed Among the more rigorous studies, favorable conclusions for P4P were less frequent, whereas observational studies were more favorable to positive effects of P4P on the quality of, and access to, health services. Methodological limitations of observational studies may have contributed to these results, but the range of results is more linked to the conceptual and contextual aspects of the use of the P4P schemes reviewed, the heterogeneity of P4P models and results. P4P can be helpful in promoting the achievement of objectives in health care systems, especially in the short term and for specific actions requiring less effort of health care providers, but should be used with caution and with a rigorous planning model, also considering undesirable or adverse effects.

As políticas de saúde no Brasil se operacionalizam através do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), o qual foi concebido com escopo universal dentro do movimento denominado Reforma Sanitária e tem sua idealização estreitamente ligada à proclamação da saúde como direito de cidadania garantido pela Constituição Federal de 19881. Os princípios informativos do SUS, sobre os quais toda a sua organização deve se fundamentar, são: a integralidade, universalidade e equidade no acesso à saúde.

O propósito deste artigo foi identificar as fronteiras da autonomia da gestão municipal no contexto do pacto federativo do Sistema Único de Saúde brasileiro e a importância e possibilida¬de de fomentar inovação, criatividade e tomada de decisão, informada pelas melhores evidências pelos governos locais. Metodologicamente parti¬mos de questões que propiciaram diálogo com a literatura específica, visando identificar a influ¬ência das políticas com formulação centralizada nos espaços de autonomia local para, em seguida, identificar estratégias de incentivo à inovação, criatividade e uso sistemático da evidência de pesquisas na implementação de políticas em saú¬de. Constatamos uma redução gradativa da au¬tonomia decisória pelo maior comprometimento financeiro dos municípios, decorrente das novas responsabilidades assumidas, bem como a possi¬bilidade de reversão dessa tendência no contexto mais recente. Analisamos também determinantes e desafios para a difusão de práticas inovadoras e apresentamos experiências nacionais e interna¬cionais com essa finalidade. Concluímos ser possí¬vel tornar mais efetivo o processo decisório local, desde que se consolidem iniciativas que estimulem essa cultura e a formulação e implementação de políticas informadas por evidências. The scope of this article was to identify the boundaries of the autonomy of local admi¬nistration in the context of the federal pact in the Brazilian Unified Health System and the impor¬tance and potential for promoting innovation, creativity and evidence-based decision-making by local governments. The methodology used was to ask questions that favored dialogue with the specific literature to identify the influence of centrally-formulated policies in spaces of local autonomy and then to identify strategies to fos-ter innovation, creativity and the systematic use of evidence-based research in health policy im-plementation. A gradual reduction in municipal decision-making autonomy was detected due to increased financial commitment of the munici¬palities resulting from responsibilities assumed, albeit with the possibility of reverting this trend in the more recent context. Some determinants and challenges for the dissemination of innovative practices were analyzed and some relevant natio¬nal and international experiences in this respect were presented. The conclusion drawn is that it is possible to make local decision-making more ef¬fective provided that initiatives are consolidated to promote this culture and the formulation and implementation of evidence-based health policies.

OBJETIVO: Apresentar e discutir a atuação da Rede de Políticas Informadas por Evidências (EVIPNet) no Brasil no ano de 2013, divulgando suas ações com vistas à promoção do uso de evidências científicas no processo de tomada de decisão, formulação e implementação de políticas de saúde. MÉTODOS: Foi empregada uma abordagem descritiva para apresentar e discutir as ações executadas pela EVIPNet Brasil. Foram apresentados os processos de capacitação, desenvolvimento de produtos e participações em eventos. RESULTADOS: Em 2013, 10 capacitações foram realizadas (quatro reuniões técnicas e seis oficinas), envolvendo 34 instituições e 193 participantes. Uma síntese de evidências para políticas de saúde foi revisada e republicada, e outras cinco encontravam-se em fase de desenvolvimento. Um diálogo deliberativo nacional foi conduzido. Foram publicados: um artigo científico sobre a experiência do uso de políticas informadas por evidências, o primeiro Informe EVIPNet Brasil e dezenas de notícias em múltiplas plataformas sociais. A atuação da rede foi apresentada nacional e internacionalmente em palestras, conferências e mesas-redondas. O impacto da atuação da EVIPNet Brasil pode ser observado nos contextos nacional, estadual e municipal. CONCLUSÕES: O sucesso no desenvolvimento, implementação e monitoramento de políticas informadas por evidências depende de ações como as realizadas pela EVIPNet, que incluem capacitação de profissionais para contribuir na ampliação e consolidação da rede no país, criação de novos Núcleos de Evidências para estimular o uso do conhecimento científico nas decisões, produção de sínteses de evidências para políticas de saúde e organização de diálogos deliberativos.

Políticas informadas por evidências têm potencial de otimizar sistemas de saúde. O uso de evidências envolve definir problemas, identificar intervenções para enfrentá-los, avaliar a qualidade das evidências globais e locais e traduzi-las para os principais interessados considerando valores sociais e leis. O Brasil encoraja o uso de evidências na política de saúde e Piripiri, município de 61.840 habitantes, da região mais pobre do país, implementou o Núcleo de Evidências em Saúde (NEv) em 2010. São apresentados o desenvolvimento e os resultados preliminares do NEv, sua visão, composição, mandato e atividades. A experiência contou com o envolvimento da Rede para Políticas Informadas por Evidências, Centro Latino-americano e do Caribe de Informação em Ciências da Saúde, governos federal e municipal. A descentralização do financiamento e prestação de cuidados de saúde, a expansão do uso de evidências na gestão e o contexto político local explicariam o desenvolvimento da experiência, cujas atividades incluem a produção e a disseminação de sínteses de evidências e diálogos deliberativos com formadores de opinião, trabalhadores e usuários dos serviços de saúde. A iniciativa está sendo monitorada e avaliada e seus resultados podem se prestar à ampliação das ações no Brasil e exterior.Evidence-informed decision making (EIDM) can optimize health services and systems. EIDM involves defining problems, identifying measures to tackle them, assessing the quality of global and local evidence and translating it for the main stakeholders in line with social values and laws. Brazil encourages the use of EIDM in health policy in Piripiri, a municipality of 61,840 inhabitants in the country's poorest region, and launched Brazil's first Evidence Use in Health Care (NEv) center in 2010. The development and preliminary results of the NEv center are reported and its vision, composition, mandate, and activities are presented. The NEv center experience has the support of the Evidence-Informed Policy Network, the Latin American and Caribbean Center of Information on Health Sciences and federal and municipal governments. The decentralization of financing and the provision of healthcare services, the expansion of EIDM in management, and the local political context illustrate the progress of the experiment. Its activities include the production and dissemination of deliberative briefs and dialogues with opinion shapers, workers and health service users. Monitoring and evaluation are underway and the results will help to broaden the scale of activities in Brazil and abroad.

Background Rapid reviews have the potential to overcome a key barrier to the use of research evidence in decision making, namely that of the lack of timely and relevant research. This rapid review of systematic reviews and primary studies sought to answer the question: What are the best methodologies to enable a rapid review of research evidence for evidence-informed decision making in health policy and practice? Methods This rapid review utilised systematic review methods and was conducted according to a pre-defined protocol including clear inclusion criteria (PROSPERO registration: CRD42015015998). A comprehensive search strategy was used, including published and grey literature, written in English, French, Portuguese or Spanish, from 2004 onwards. Eleven databases and two websites were searched. Two review authors independently applied the eligibility criteria. Data extraction was done by one reviewer and checked by a second. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed independently by two reviewers. A narrative summary of the results is presented. Results Five systematic reviews and one randomised controlled trial (RCT) that investigated methodologies for rapid reviews met the inclusion criteria. None of the systematic reviews were of sufficient quality to allow firm conclusions to be made. Thus, the findings need to be treated with caution. There is no agreed definition of rapid reviews in the literature and no agreed methodology for conducting rapid reviews. While a wide range of ‘shortcuts’ are used to make rapid reviews faster than a full systematic review, the included studies found little empirical evidence of their impact on the conclusions of either rapid or systematic reviews. There is some evidence from the included RCT (that had a low risk of bias) that rapid reviews may improve clarity and accessibility of research evidence for decision makers. Conclusions Greater care needs to be taken in improving the transparency of the methods used in rapid review products. There is no evidence available to suggest that rapid reviews should not be done or that they are misleading in any way. We offer an improved definition of rapid reviews to guide future research as well as clearer guidance for policy and practice. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12961-016-0155-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background The objective of this work was to inform the design of a rapid response program to support evidence-informed decision-making in health policy and practice for the Americas region. Specifically, we focus on the following: (1) What are the best methodological approaches for rapid reviews of the research evidence? (2) What other strategies are needed to facilitate evidence-informed decision-making in health policy and practice? and (3) How best to operationalize a rapid response program? Methods The evidence used to inform the design of a rapid response program included (i) two rapid reviews of methodological approaches for rapid reviews of the research evidence and strategies to facilitate evidence-informed decision-making, (ii) supplementary literature in relation to the “shortcuts” that could be considered to reduce the time needed to complete rapid reviews, (iii) four case studies, and (iv) supplementary literature to identify additional operational issues for the design of the program. Results There is no agreed definition of rapid reviews in the literature and no agreed methodology for conducting them. Better reporting of rapid review methods is needed. The literature found in relation to shortcuts will be helpful in choosing shortcuts that maximize timeliness while minimizing the impact on quality. Evidence for other strategies that can be used concurrently to facilitate the uptake of research evidence, including evidence drawn from rapid reviews, is presented. Operational issues that need to be considered in designing a rapid response program include the implications of a “user-pays” model, the importance of recruiting staff with the right mix of skills and qualifications, and ensuring that the impact of the model on research use in decision-making is formally evaluated. Conclusions When designing a new rapid response program, greater attention needs to be given to specifying the rapid review methods and reporting these in sufficient detail to allow a quality assessment. It will also be important to engage in other strategies to facilitate the uptake of the rapid reviews and to evaluate the chosen model in order to make refinements and add to the evidence base for evidence-informed decision-making. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13012-016-0472-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Introduction:In Brazil, health is a constitutional right and the government is responsible for its guarantee. The Brazilian health system is characterized by universality, equality, and integrality, but citizens still strive to guarantee their rights through litigation. This work aimed to develop an evidence brief to support the decision-making process of judges with respect to health technologies, based on scientific evidence.Methods:Support tools from the Evidence-Informed Policy Network (EVIPNet) were used to develop the evidence brief. After defining and describing the problem, a comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Health Systems Evidence, The Campbell Library, The Cochrane Library, Rx for Change, and PDQ-Evidence for systematic reviews published from 2010 to 2016. Nine systematic reviews were found. Review selection and quality appraisal were conducted independently by two reviewers. Three strategies for addressing the health litigation were defined. Evidence was summarized on benefits, harms, resource use, cost-effectiveness, uncertainties, and implementation. Implementation barriers and facilitators were also described.Results:Three strategies were found: (i) Rapid response services to support evidence-informed decision making in health technology decisions—educational activities and materials were described as an effective way to involve different stakeholders and inform decision making, even when financial reallocation is needed; (ii) Continuing education programs focused on developing health technology assessment knowledge among law workers—continued education and educational outreach may be effective in knowledge and ability acquisition and retention, changing professional practices. Eventual lack of interest from or availability of the professionals can be addressed by involving leaders and opinion makers, as well as offering multimedia educational materials and activities adapted for the public; and (iii) Restorative justice conferencing (RJC) focused on the litigation of health technologies—the use of RJC through face-to-face meetings or social councils involves citizens in the decision-making process, including resource management. There are multiple barriers to this option (e.g. a lack of understanding among the public, conflicts of interest, a lack of professionals capable of conducting RJCs, and the need for legal reformulation) because of its unprecedented use in the healthcare setting. Opinion leaders should be invited to facilitate communication and the decision-making process among citizens, government, and the law.Conclusions:This evidence brief will be debated among interested parties and presented to the health minister and state secretaries in order to implement the strategy options, once regional specificities are taken into account.

Introduction:In Brazil, the “Sistema Unico de Saúde” (SUS) is a public health system that has universal coverage, comprehensive care, and principles like community participation. The incorporation, update or exclusion of new health technologies is done by the National Committee for Technology Incorporation (CONITEC), which issues reports on the incorporation of technologies and submits them to public consultations, which is the main mechanism of public involvement and an opportunity to influence the decision to access and coverage to new health technologies. Our study aimed to investigate a typology of social representations on the contributions from 2012 to the CONITEC's public consultations to the incorporation of Trastuzumab for the treatment of initial breast cancer in Brazil.Methods:Our study deployed a mixed-methods approach to semi-quantitatively analyze the social representativeness and corpus composition of all the public consultation contributions for the recommendation of the Trastuzumab's incorporation for treatment of initial breast cancer within SUS, as well as the authors' qualitative analysis of the IRAMUTEQ software as a potential effective and efficient tool to semi-qualitatively analyze such public consultations. All contributions were included (127 contributions, from several Brazilian states) and organized into a single corpus, which was submitted to 5 types of analyzes (classical lexical analysis, analysis of group specificities, descending hierarchical classification; similitude analysis and word cloud).Results:The general corpus consisted of 114 texts, separated into 685 text segments (TS), with use of 79.12 percent of total TS (684). The analyzed content was categorized into four classes: Class 1 – Patient Representations/ Advocacy (186 ST-34.3 percent); Class 2: Pharmaceutical Industry/ Advocacy (181 ST-33.4 percent); Class 3: Health Professionals (81 ST-14.9 percent); and Class 4: Individual Contributions (94 -17.3 percent). Class 1 corpus consisted mostly of contributions made from a breast cancer patient association/ advocacy report, which focused mainly on lay expertise terminology. We observed a proximity in corpus between Classes 2 and 3, showing a potential approximation between the pharmaceutical industry and health professionals' contributions, to whom the main word occurrences related to health technologies. Class 4 corpus focused on improvement and individual need, as well as in corpus referring to SUS.Conclusions:From our findings, we observed: (i) a potential similarity in contributions of health professionals and pharmaceutical industry; (ii) how lay expertise might affect the contributions of patients individually and within advocacy and patient organizations; and (iii) the uses and limitations of IRAMUTEQ as potentially effective and efficient tool to semi-qualitatively analyze health technology assessment public consultation contributions.

Introduction:Social engagement in health encompasses the idea of involving (parts of) society as full partners in the decision-making regarding both development and implementation of health technologies. Evidence shows that patient engagement is linked with fewer adverse events, better patient self-management, fewer diagnostic tests, decreased use of healthcare services and shorter lengths of stay in hospitals. Matching the escalating healthcare requirements to face the ongoing societal and economic challenges regarding access and coverage to (new) health technologies is not an easy task for health providers.Methods:We conducted a systematic review (CRD42017068714) designed to address the institutional implementation of social engagement by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. All systematic reviews were evaluated using the new version of AMSTAR and, once all findings are synthesized, we will use the GRADE-CERQual approach to assess for confidence.Results:From 399 publications that met the inclusion criteria, 80 described the implementation of social engagement during the development and implementation of (new) health technologies at various levels (local, regional, national, supranational), countries and for different health technologies and social actors. The remaining 319 publications constitute case studies describing barriers and enablers to implementing social engagement in HTA and coverage decision-making processes. By mapping barriers and facilitators, we explored effectiveness and sustainability, further observing how citizen science-based strategies can ultimately reform health service delivery by innovating the social engagement in health technology development and implementation.Conclusions:This systematic review addresses the know-do gap on social engagement in health technology development and implementation, from a global perspective, as a way of improving the Brazilian Ministry of Health's HTA activities and enabling a Brazilian strategy to reform health service delivery. Enabling social engagement as early as possible, during all the stages of the development cycle, grants a more effective and sustainable health care system.