Pathology of the Research Sector in Iran\'s Health System with a Focus on Future

Background: Strengthening the functions of health research and taking a systematic approach to the development of science and technology are essential for overcoming current challenges in health sector. Therefore, the functional pathology of current research plays a crucial role in highlighting the gap between what is and what should be, thereby illuminating the path of scientific development in health sector with a focus on current challenges. Methods: In this study, interviews with experts, review of documents and conducting an expert panel were used. The method of data analysis is qualitative analysis with a framework analysis approach. A total of 32 experts were selected from heads of research centers, experts of the national innovation system, science and technology policy, health policy, graduate students and faculty members, senior researchers, NGOs and international experts. A review of relevant national and international documents has been done to strengthen and analyze the findings. The content analysis of the findings of two phases was carried out with a framework analysis approach and was presented in an expert panel consisting of representatives of the interviewees. The results of the panel were analyzed and to draw the future triangle consisting of the weight of the past, the push of the present and the pull of the future. Results: The findings of the study have been analyzed in the framework of the future triangle, including the weight of the history, the push of the present, and the pull of the future. The weight of the history and the push of the present were identified and analyzed in the form of past and present challenges of the health research system in seven main functions. Including stewardship and leadership, coordination of research and policymaking, translation of policies and upstream documents at the operational level of research, resource management, performance evaluation and monitoring, human resource empowerment, and evidence-informed policymaking. The pull of future includes the need to draw a coherent national macro image with a forward-looking, participatory and transparent approach, in which attention is paid to the management of conflict of interests, coherence in resource management and strengthening of intersectoral collaborations. Conclusion: The main solutions to address the current challenges in the country's health research system include agreement on concepts, a unified vision and stable procedures, strengthening the relationship between different levels of management (inter-ministerial, ministerial, and university), enhancing education and research at the level of medical ministry and universities, establishing appropriate structures for knowledge translation, strengthening national funds supporting the research, reforming the evaluation system, and undertaking a fundamental review of human resource empowerment model.