Situational Diagnosis of the Health Research at the National and 10 Provincial Ministries of Health in Argentina

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The study and analysis of health research is relevant for all countries from both health and socio-economic point of view - it intends to obtain trustworthy and quality information about what, how and by whom research is done in this field. OBJECTIVE: To describe the activities related to research management, diffusion and knowledge production within the framework of ministries and its agencies, in order to make an initial diagnosis of the situation during 2010. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed. It analyzed 11 health ministries and 215 dependent agencies. It was conducted through a structured survey to responsible officials in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (CABA), Buenos Aires Province, Chaco, Chubut, Córdoba, Corrientes, Jujuy, Mendoza, Nation, Neuquén and Tucumán. RESULTS: CABA, Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Jujuy, Mendoza, Nation and Neuquén had specific areas of research, carried out regulatory activities and research audits. Of the 1.019 investigations, 61% were funded. 126 hospitals were surveyed, and 56% (71) conducted researches. The ministries of CABA (424), Nation (177), Córdoba (125) and Buenos Aires (103) and the hospitals under their jurisdiction totaled 81% of the investigations. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the high percentage of hospital investigations, only 55% of them were funded, which would indicate a large institutional effort. Moreover, most of the ministries surveyed had specific research areas, that would indicate the State´s interest in health research.