The path to impact of operational research on tuberculosis control policies and practices in Indonesia

• Published in: Global health action Vol. 9; no. 1; p. 29866
• Main Authors: Probandari, Ari, Widjanarko, Bagoes, Mahendradhata, Yodi, Sanjoto, Hary, Cerisha, Ancila, Nungky, Saverina, Riono, Pandu, Simon, Sumanto, Noor Farid, Muhammad, Giriputra, Sardikin, Putra, Artawan Eka, Burhan, Erlina, Wahyuni, Chatarina U., Mustikawati, Dyah, Widianingrum, Christina, Tiemersma, Edine W., Alisjahbana, Bachti, on behalf of the Tuberculosis Operational Research Group (TORG)
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis 01.01.2016; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Co-Action Publishing; Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: Capacity Building; Capacity building approach; Communicable Disease Control - methods; Communicable Disease Control - organization & administration; Content analysis; Dissemination; Field study; Funding; Health facilities; Health Policy; Health Services Research; Hospitals; Humans; Indonesia; Influence; Interviews; Interviews as Topic; knowledge translation; Medical laboratories; Medical research; Medicine; operational research; Operations Research; Organizational research; Original; Policy Making; Political power; Program Evaluation; Public buildings; Public health; Qualitative Research; qualitative study; Reinforcement; Researchers; Sustainability; Tuberculosis; Tuberculosis - prevention & control; Indonesia; qualitative study; knowledge translation; research; operational research; tuberculosis; Indonesia
• ISSN: 1654-9716; 1654-9880
• DOI: 10.3402/gha.v9.29866

Operational research is currently one of the pillars of the global strategy to control tuberculosis. Indonesia initiated capacity building for operational research on tuberculosis over the last decade. Although publication of the research in peer-reviewed journals is an important indicator for measuring the success of this endeavor, the influence of operational research on policy and practices is considered even more important. However, little is known about the process by which operational research influences tuberculosis control policy and practices. We aimed to investigate the influence of operational research on tuberculosis control policy and practice in Indonesia between 2004 and 2014. Using a qualitative study design, we conducted in-depth interviews of 50 researchers and 30 policy makers/program managers and performed document reviews. Transcripts of these interviews were evaluated while applying content analysis. Operational research contributed to tuberculosis control policy and practice improvements, including development of new policies, introduction of new practices, and reinforcement of current program policies and practices. However, most of these developments had limited sustainability. The path from the dissemination of research results and recommendations to policy and practice changes was long and complex. The skills, interests, and political power of researchers and policy makers, as well as health system response, could influence the process. Operational research contributed to improving tuberculosis control policy and practices. A systematic approach to improve the sustainability of the impact of operational research should be explored.