A pesquisa em saúde no Brasil: desafios a enfrentar / Health research in Brazil: challenges to be faced

RESUMO O ensaio apresenta reflexões sobre o quanto a pesquisa e o desenvolvimento são capazes de promover um ciclo virtuoso nos sistemas universais de saúde, como o Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), dotando-os de ciência para a tomada de decisão e de propostas inovadoras, quando consideradas as opiniões de seus usuários. A partir das demandas por 'pesquisa' expostas no relatório final da VIII Conferência Nacional de Saúde, apresenta o cenário atual da pesquisa no Brasil, com ênfase na insuficiência do financiamento e na lacuna entre a produção científica e as práticas em saúde. Conclui apresentando os desafios que devem ser transpostos pelos pesquisadores em saúde para inserir os brasileiros, suas realidades e capacidades na geração de mudança e inovação para o SUS, na redução de desigualdades sociais, a partir de debates sobre o futuro dos sistemas universais.

ABSTRACT The essay presents reflections on how much research and development are capable of promoting a virtuous cycle in universal health systems, such as the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), endowing them with science for decision making and innovative proposals, when considering the opinions of its users. Based on the demands for 'research' presented in the final report of the VIII National Health Conference, it presents the current scenario of research in Brazil, with emphasis on insufficient funding and the gap between scientific production and health practices. It concludes by presenting the challenges that health researchers must translate to include Brazilians, their realities and capacities in the promotion of change and innovation for the SUS in the reduction of social inequalities, departing from debates on the future of universal systems.

Produzindo pesquisa, formação, saúde e educação na integração ensino, serviço e comunidade / Producción de investigación, formación, salud y educación en la integración enseñanza servicio y comunidad / Producing research, training, health, and education in the teaching-service-community integration

Trata-se de relato de experiência sobre o desenvolvimento de pesquisas, produção de conhecimento e formação na interface universidade e serviços de saúde, a partir do programa Pró-Ensino na Saúde (Capes Edital no 24/2010). Apresenta a educação problematizadora, a formação interprofissional, a educação permanente de professores e profissionais de saúde e as Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais como mobilizadoras da formação profissional comprometida com o desenvolvimento do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), especificamente na valorização da integração universidade pública com serviços de saúde. As pesquisas desenvolvidas abordaram diferentes dimensões do ensino na Atenção Primária à Saúde, envolvendo práticas pedagógicas, formação e desenvolvimento docente, atuação do profissional de saúde como professor, inovações pedagógicas e questões relacionadas à prática do trabalho em saúde. Na riqueza e diversidade dos estudos, aponta-se fragilidade na relação orgânica entre universidade e atenção primária e observam-se inovações que caminham para a ruptura do ensino instituído.(AU)

Se trata del relato de una experiencia sobre el desarrollo de investigaciones, producción de conocimiento y formación en la interfaz universitaria y servicios de salud, a partir del programa Pro-Enseñanza en la Salud (Capes Pliego de Condiciones nº24/2010). Presenta la educación problematizadora, la formación interprofesional, la educación permanente de profesores y profesionales de salud y las Directrices Curriculares Nacionales como movilizadoras para la formación profesional comprometida con el desarrollo del Sistema Brasileño de Salud, específicamente en la valorización de la integración universidad pública con servicios de salud. Las investigaciones desarrolladas abordaron diferentes dimensiones de la enseñanza en la Atención Primaria a la Salud envolviendo prácticas pedagógicas, formación y desarrollo docente, actuación del profesional de salud como profesor, innovaciones pedagógicas y cuestiones relacionadas con la práctica del trabajo en salud. En la riqueza y en la diversidad de los estudios se señala la fragilidad en la relación orgánica entre universidad/atención primaria y se observan innovaciones que caminan hacia la ruptura de la enseñanza instituida.(AU)

Call for a change in research funding priorities: the example of mental health in Costa Rica / Solicitud de un cambio en las prioridades de financiamiento de la investigación: el ejemplo de la salud mental en Costa Rica

The World Health Organization (WHO) Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020 urges its Member States to strengthen leadership in mental health, ensure mental and social health interventions in community-based settings, promote mental health and strengthen information systems, and increase evidence and research for mental health. Although Costa Rica has strongly invested in public health and successfully reduced the burden of nutritional and infectious diseases, its transitional epidemiological pattern, population growth, and immigration from unstable neighboring countries has shifted the burden to chronic disorders. Although policies for chronic disorders have been in place for several decades, mental disorders have not been included. Recently, as the Ministry of Health of Costa Rica developed a Mental Health Policy for 2013-2020, it became evident that the country needs epidemiological data to prioritize evidence-based intervention areas. This article stresses the importance of conducting local epidemiological studies on mental health, and calls for changes in research funding priorities by public and private national and international funding agencies in order to follow the WHO Mental Health Action Plan.

El Plan de Acción sobre Salud Mental 2013-2020 de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) insta a sus Estados Miembros a que fortalezcan el liderazgo en el ámbito de la salud mental, garanticen las intervenciones de salud mental y asistencia social en los entornos comunitarios, promuevan la salud mental y fortalezcan los sistemas de información, e incrementen los datos científicos y las investigaciones sobre salud mental. Aunque Costa Rica ha invertido mucho en salud pública y ha reducido con éxito la carga de enfermedades nutricionales e infecciosas, su modelo epidemiológico transitorio, el crecimiento de la población y la inmigración desde países vecinos inestables han desplazado la carga de morbilidad hacia los trastornos crónicos. Aunque existen políticas en vigor dirigidas a los trastornos crónicos desde hace varios decenios, no se ha incluido en ellas a los trastornos mentales. Recientemente, cuando el Ministerio de Salud de Costa Rica elaboró una Política Nacional de Salud Mental para el periodo del 2013 al 2020, se hizo evidente que el país necesita datos epidemiológicos para priorizar las áreas de intervención con base en pruebas científicas. Este artículo subraya la importancia de llevar a cabo estudios epidemiológicos de ámbito local sobre salud mental, y solicita cambios en las prioridades de financiamiento de la investigación por parte de los organismos de financiamiento públicos y privados, nacionales e internacionales, con objeto de cumplir con lo que establece el Plan de Acción sobre Salud Mental de la OMS.

Promoting public health research in BRICS through a multinational public health prize fund.

This article proposes the establishment of a prize fund to incentivise public health research within the BRICS association, which comprises the five major emerging world economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. This would stimulate cooperative healthcare research within the group and, on the proviso that the benefits of the research are made freely available within the association, would be rewarding for researchers. The results of the research stimulated by the prize would provide beneficial new healthcare technologies, targeting the most vulnerable and needy groups. The proposed fund is consistent with current international patent law and would not only avoid some of the problems associated with the "Health Impact Fund", but also create a new model for healthcare research.

La gestión de programas y proyectos territoriales de ciencia e innovación en el sector de la salud pública de Holguín, Cuba / Management of territorial science and innovation programs and projects from the public health sector in Holguín, Cuba

El desarrollo de las investigaciones que contribuyen a la generación y aplicación de nuevos conocimientos, productos y procesos que eleven la calidad del sistema de salud cubano constituye una de las prioridades del Ministerio de Salud Pública en el país. El Sistema de Programas y proyectos de ciencia e innovación implementado desde 1996 a nivel nacional, ramal y territorial como parte del Sistema de Ciencia e Innovación Tecnológica ha constituido una valiosa herramienta en la organización de la actividad científica e innovativa en los diferentes niveles. Su implementación a nivel territorial abarca diferentes sectores socioeconómicos, entre los que se encuentra la salud pública. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo examinar la utilidad de la gestión de programas y proyectos de ciencia e innovación en la planificación, organización, ejecución y control de las investigaciones en el sector de la salud en la provincia de Holguín, a partir del análisis de su evolución desde sus inicios en 1997 hasta su término en el 2012. El estudio realizado demostró la incidencia positiva de la gestión de proyectos en el incremento de la efectividad de la actividad científica en la salud pública en el territorio, lo cual se manifiesta en una mejor gestión del gasto destinado a proyectos de I+D+i, mayor calidad de los proyectos ejecutados y un incremento del nivel de introducción de los resultados y del efecto de estos en la sociedad holguinera. Además, permitió identificar las principales deficiencias que limitaron el desarrollo de dicho proceso

One of the priorities of the Cuban Ministry of Public Health is the development of research contributing to the generation and application of new knowledge, products and processes aimed at improving the quality of the Cuban health system. Implemented in 1996 on a national, territorial and local scale as part of the Science and Technological Innovation System, the system of science and innovation programs and projects constitutes a valuable tool for the organization of scientific and innovative activity on the various levels. Territorial implementation comprises several socioeconomic sectors, including public health. The purpose of the present paper is to evaluate the usefulness of the management of science and innovation programs and projects in terms of the planning, organization, implementation and control of research tasks in the public health sector in the province of Holguín, based on the analysis of its evolution from its start in 1997 to its end in 2012. The study showed the positive impact of project management on the effectiveness of scientific activity in the public health sector in the territory, evidenced by better management of expenditures on R & D, the higher quality of the projects implemented, and an increase in the incorporation of results and their effect on society in Holguín. It also made it possible to identify the main deficiencies limiting the development of the process

Vision-related research priorities and how to finance them.

A number of organizations have employed a consultative process with the vision community to engage relevant parties in identifying needs and opportunities for vision research. The National Eye Institute in the US and the European Commission are currently undergoing consultation to develop priorities for vision research. Once these priorities have been established, the challenge will be to identify the resources to advance these research agendas. Success rates for Federal funding for research have decreased recently in the USA, UK, and Australia. Researchers should consider various potential funding sources for their research. The universal consideration for funding is that the reason for funding should align with the mission of the funding organization. In addition to Federal research organizations that fund investigator-initiated research, other potential funding sources include nongovernmental organizations, for-profit companies, individual philanthropy, and service organizations. In addition to aligning with organizational funding priorities, researchers need to consider turn-around time and total funds available including whether an organization will cover institutional indirect costs. Websites are useful tools to find information about organizations that fund research, including grant deadlines. Collaboration is encouraged.

Contribuciones y retos de la economía de la salud en Cuba / Contributions and challenges of health economics in Cuba

El objetivo de este trabajo es realizar una exposición crítica sobre el desarrollo que ha tenido la economía de la salud en el contexto sanitario cubano. El mismo se ha producido en tres ámbitos en los que esta disciplina ha desplegado sus actividades: la docencia, la investigación y la participación en la toma de decisiones. Luego de más de treinta años de la aparición esta disciplina en Cuba, es posible señalar un conjunto de aciertos y retos. El área más fortalecida es la docencia, que aún con las dificultades que pueda presentar, es la fuente básica que promueve la investigación en este campo. El problema más difícil es la aplicación de los resultados de las investigaciones a la toma de decisiones y el fortalecimiento de la introducción de los conocimientos teóricos al quehacer diario. El desarrollo de la economía de la salud en Cuba presenta similitudes y diferencias respecto al experimentado por otros contextos. Este comportamiento puede asociarse a particularidades específicas del contexto sanitario cubano y de las características del modelo económico que desarrolla el país. En Cuba, en los próximos años, la integración docencia, investigación y toma de decisiones en economía de la salud ha de acentuarse, esta necesidad se convierte en un punto de partida. Es la mejor forma para conocer los resortes económicos de nuestra realidad en el campo sanitario y de mantener una relación provechosa con lo más avanzado del pensamiento económico

The objective of this paper was to submit a critical presentation of the development of health economics in the Cuban health context. Health economics in Cuba has been developed in three main areas: education, research and participation in decision making. After more than thirty years of the emergence of this discipline in Cuba, it is possible to mention a group of strengths and challenges. Education is the area with the greatest improvements; despite some difficulties that may exist, it is the basic source of research promotion in this field. The biggest challenges are to incorporate the research results into the decision making process and to reinforce the introduction of the theoretical knowledge to the daily work. The development of health economics in Cuba presents some similarities and differences if compared to that of other settings. This behavior may be associated to specific characteristics of the Cuban health system and the characteristics of the economic model that the country puts into practice. In the forthcoming years, the integration of education, research and decision making in the field of health economics needs to be reinforced, since it is a starting point and the best way to know the key economic elements of our reality in the health care area and to keep an advantageous relationship with the most advanced economic thinking

La investigación académica y su relación con empresas, industrias y actividades productivas: un vínculo que debe consolidarse / The academic research and its relations with companies, industries and productive activities: a link that must be consolidated

La investigación académica ha sido responsable de casi todos los descubrimientos que se tradujeron en el desarrollo de nuevas tecnologías y medicamentos. Existe una creciente preocupación porque las grandes empresas de biotecnología no tienen interés en la investigación y desarrollo especialmente en áreas con necesidades médicas insatisfechas. Para hacer frente a las necesidades de estos pacientes, profesionales y sociedades, los investigadores académicos pueden seguir desempeñando un papel importante en una o más fases en el desarrollo de tecnologías innovadores, ya sea directamente o a través de la colaboración con empresas biotecnológicas. La vinculación tecnológica debe guiarse por el mejor interés de los pacientes y la sociedad, para acelerar la traslación de los nuevos descubrimientos y así cubrir las necesidades médicas insatisfechas de amplios sectores de la población mundial.

Academic research has been responsible for almost all the discoveries that led to the development of new technologies and drugs. There is growing concern that great biotech companies have no interest in research and development especially in areas with unmet medical needs. To meet the needs of these patients, professionals and societies, academic researchers can continue to play an important role in one or more stages in the development of innovative technologies, either directly or through partnerships with biotechnology companies. Bonding technology should be guided by the best interests of patients and society, to accelerate the translation of new discoveries and meet medical needs of large segments of the population.

Cooperación transfronteriza en investigación sobre diabetes mellitus tipo 2: México-Estados Unidos / U.S.-Mexico cross-border cooperation in research on diabetes mellitus type 2

OBJETIVO: Describir y analizar con un enfoque de estudio de caso el Proyecto de Prevención y Control de la Diabetes en la Frontera México-Estados Unidos (PDF-México/Estados Unidos), un esfuerzo de cooperación en investigación en salud en el que participaron instituciones federales, estatales y locales de ambos países. MÉTODOS: El proyecto utilizó un modelo de igual representación, participación, consenso y liderazgo compartido, con la participación de más de 130 instituciones coordinadas por organismos de ambos países. Se estudió una muestra aleatoria, multietápica, estratificada y por conglomerados de 4 020 personas mayores de 18 años que respondieron un cuestionario de preguntas relacionadas con la diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2) y la salud. El análisis estadístico de la información muestral obtenida tuvo en cuenta el efecto del diseño. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de DM2 diagnosticada fue de 14,9 por ciento (intervalo de confianza de 95 por ciento [IC95 por ciento]: 12,5-17,6) y la prevalencia de DM2 diagnosticada ajustada por edad fue de 19,5 por ciento (IC95 por ciento: 16,8-22,6) en la parte mexicana y de 16,1 por ciento (IC95 por ciento: 13,5-19,2) en la estadounidense. La prevalencia de la DM2 y los factores de riesgo no fueron exactamente iguales a lo largo de la frontera. CONCLUSIONES: La ejecución del PDF-México/Estados Unidos ha permitido por primera vez considerar la franja fronteriza entre ambos países como una unidad para la investigación epidemiológica. En iniciativas fronterizas futuras, se sugiere fortalecer el entendimiento mutuo de la estructura sociopolítica y de las formas de actuación por parte de las instituciones y otras entidades participantes en ambos lados de la frontera.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and analyze, utilizing a case study approach, the U.S.- Mexico Border Diabetes Prevention and Control Project, a health research cooperation initiative incorporating the participation of federal, state, and local institutions of both countries. METHODS: A model of equal representation, participation, consensus, and shared leadership was used, with the participation of more than 130 institutions. A sample of 4 020 people over 18 years of age was obtained by a random, multistage, stratified, clustered design. A questionnaire about diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) and health was applied. The statistical analysis took into account the design effect. RESULTS: The prevalence of diagnosed DM2 was 14.9 percent (95 percent confidence interval [95 percent CI]: 12.5-17.6) and the prevalence of diagnosed DM2 adjusted by age was 19.5 percent (95 percent CI: 16.8-22.6) on the Mexican side of the border and 16.1 percent (IC95 percent: 13.5-19.2) on the U.S. border side. There were differences between the DM2 prevalence and risk factors along the border. CONCLUSIONS: The U.S.-Mexico Border Diabetes Prevention and Control Project allowed the border zone between the two countries to be considered, for the first time ever, as a unit for epidemiological research. A shared understanding among all participating institutions and entities of sociopolitical structures and procedures is required for effective border health cooperation initiatives.

Cooperação internacional na área da saúde coletiva: propostas para um debate / International cooperation at public health: proposals to a debate

Na literatura disponível, não existe estudo especificamente consagrado à cooperação internacional na área da Saúde Coletiva. Este trabalho tem por objetivo suprir, em parte, esta lacuna, levantar e analisar o estado da arte nessa área e examinar de que forma ela interfere na avaliação dos programas de pós-graduação. O estudo utilizou dados secundários disponíveis nos "Cadernos de Indicadores" da CAPES, para os anos de 1998 a 2006 e, de forma complementar, de bolsas no exterior e programas especiais de cooperação daquele órgão, para os anos de 2005 a 2009, todos tratados por metodologia quantitativa descritiva. Constata-se que a cooperação internacional na área encontra-se relativamente desenvolvida em temas variados e parcerias diversificadas, que se refere principalmente ao financiamento de projetos de pesquisa e se concentra de forma acentuada nos Estados Unidos. Observa-se correlação positiva entre o número de cooperações internacionais e um alto conceito dos programas na avaliação da CAPES, no último triênio de avaliação. Há uma diversidade de instituições, temas e subáreas envolvidas na cooperação internacional que poderia ser um indicador positivo na avaliação, mas até onde foi possível inferir, nenhuma correlação significativa neste sentido foi encontrada.

In the available literature, there is no study devoted to international cooperation in public health. This paper aims to partly fill this gap, raising and examining the state of art in this area as well as how it interferes in the evaluation of post-graduate programs. The study used secondary data available at CAPES "Indicators Journals", during the years of 1998 to 2006. It also analyzes foreign scholarships and special programs of cooperation of CAPES from 2005 to 2009 through a quantitative descriptive methodology. It shows that international cooperation in the area is relatively developed in a variety of themes and diverse partnerships, focusing in the United States. It is observed a positive correlation between the number of international cooperation and a high-concept program into the evaluation of CAPES, the last triennium of evaluation. The sub-areas where there is more cooperation are, in order: epidemiology; planning, and others. There is a variety of institutions, themes and subareas involved in international cooperation that could be a positive indicator in the evaluation, but as far as was possible to infer, no significant correlation in this direction was found.

Análise dos investimentos do Ministério da Saúde em pesquisa e desenvolvimento do período 2000-2002: uma linha de base para avaliações futuras a partir da implementação da agenda nacional de prioridades de pesquisa em saúde / An analysis of the Ministry of Health of Brazil investments in research and development between 2000-2002: a base line towards future valuations beginning with the implementation of the national health research priority agenda

O trabalho examinou os investimentos em pesquisa e desenvolvimento em saúde (P&D/S) do Ministério da Saúde (MS) durante 2000-2002, buscando confrontá-los com os itens da Agenda Nacional de Prioridades de Pesquisa em Saúde, de modo a estabelecer uma linha de base que possibilite posteriores avaliações de seu papel indutor. Utilizaram-se os dados procedentes de pesquisa realizada com a finalidade primária de mensurar os recursos investidos em P&D/S no país no período, sendo considerados apenas os investimentos oriundos do próprio MS. As pesquisas foram categorizadas, independentemente, por dois pesquisadores, segundo as 24 subagendas que compõem a agenda. O volume de recursos aplicados no período foi de R$ 199,3 milhões. A maior proporção de dispêndios esteve relacionada a pesquisas nas áreas de doenças transmissíveis (31,5 por cento), sistemas e políticas de saúde (16,3 por cento), e comunicação e informação em saúde (8,6 por cento). Condições que representam significativa carga de doença (doenças não transmissíveis, saúde mental, violência, acidentes e traumas) receberam volumes relativamente pequenos de financiamento. O trabalho pretende estabelecer um marco zero, a partir do qual os gestores da política científico-tecnológica possam avaliar a progressiva capacidade indutora da agenda e a redução dos desequilíbrios identificados.

The aim of this paper is to examine the Ministry of Health of Brazil investments in research and development in health (R&D/H) between the years of 2000-2002, trying to contrast them with the items of the National Health Research Priority Agenda, in order to attempt a base line that makes capable future evaluations on the inductor role. The data was collected by a research carried out with the main goal of measure resources invested in R&D/H in the country on the period, considering only the Ministry of Health investments. The researches were independently categorized by 2 researchers based on 24 subdivisions which compose the Agenda. The amount of the resources invested by the Ministry of Health on the period was of R$ 199.3 millions. Most of the expense was related to researches in transmittable diseases (31.5 percent), followed by systems and policies in health (16.3 percent) and communication and information in health (8.6 percent). Conditions that represent a substantial disease burden (non transmittable diseases, mental health, violence, accidents and traumas, elderly person health) received relative small amount of resource. The work establishes a starting point from which managers of scientific and technological policy may assess the progressive influence of the Agenda and the reduction of the identified imbalances.

Setting research priorities by applying the combined approach matrix.

Background & objectives: Priority setting in health research is a dynamic process. Different organizations and institutes have been working in the field of research priority setting for many years. In 1999 the Global Forum for Health Research presented a research priority setting tool called the Combined Approach Matrix or CAM. Since its development, the CAM has been successfully applied to set research priorities for diseases, conditions and programmes at global, regional and national levels. This paper briefly explains the CAM methodology and how it could be applied in different settings, giving examples and describing challenges encountered in the process of setting research priorities and providing recommendations for further work in this field. Methods: The construct and design of the CAM is explained along with different steps needed, including planning and organization of a priority-setting exercise and how it could be applied in different settings. Results: The application of the CAM are described by using three examples. The first concerns setting research priorities for a global programme, the second describes application at the country level and the third setting research priorities for diseases. Interpretation & conclusions: Effective application of the CAM in different and diverse environments proves its utility as a tool for setting research priorities. Potential challenges encountered in the process of research priority setting are discussed and some recommendations for further work in this field are provided.

Developing Research Partnerships to Bring Change : Experiences from REACH Trust Malawi

Drawing on the experiences of REACH Trust; this paper highlights practical lessons of using research processes and outcomes to promote equity in health policy and practice. The REACH Trust is first introduced. Case studies are then used to highlight how REACH Trust has worked in a participatory manner with key stakeholders at community; national and international levels. In addition to participatory working there are a number of cross-cutting themes that facilitate the uptake of research findings which is discussed in turn: (1) multi-disciplinary and multi-method approaches (2) advocating research findings at strategic forums; and (3) the use of strategic frames. In the conclusion it is argued that research has a critical role to play in responding to the urgent need for the Malawian health sector to develop and act on evidence-based practice in a more gender equitable and pro-poor manner

Metodologías de fijación de prioridades en la selección de investigaciones / Methodology of priority setting in the investigations selection

La matriz de estrategias combinadas (MEC), instrumento para fijar prioridades en investigación, permite la organización de información procedente de diversas fuentes y la configuración del estado de situación sobre determinada enfermedad desde el punto de vista del individuo, la familia y la comunidad, el ministerio, otras instituciones relacionadas o no con la salud, y de políticas macroeconómicas. Objetivos: Adaptar y validar la MEC como herramienta para establecer prioridades en investigación en salud en Argentina. Metodología: Se analizaron las prioridades de cinco áreas problemáticas: enfermedades transmisibles, factores de riesgo de enfermedades no transmisibles, salud sexual y reproductiva, lesiones y salud del niño y de la niña. Un equipo de trabajo interdisciplinario (ETI) de 19 profesionales fue responsable de la ejecución del protocolo. Expertos en cada tema completaron una encuesta que permitió conocer su perspectiva. Se organizaron 5 talleres abiertos con invitados especiales representantes de distintas dimensiones institucionales. Resultados: Un total de 48 asesores, 81 expertos y 266 participantes de diferentes provincias y de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires concurrieron a los talleres donde en pequeños grupos discutieron el proceso de validación de la MEC que sumado a la búsqueda, recuperación y análisis crítico de la información a cargo del ETI permitió construir una matriz para la mayoría de las entidades propuestas inicialmente. Conclusión: El proceso de validación indica que la MEC es una herramienta útil, factible de ser completada, que facilita el diálogo entre diversos actores con diferentes conocimientos, intereses y necesidades en materia de investigación sanitaria.

The Combined Approach Matrix (CAM), a tool to set research priorities, helps to organize the information coming from different sources and present the current knowledge about a certain disease from the point of view of the individual, household and community, the health ministry and other institutions related or not with health, and macroeconomic policies. Objective: adapt and validate the CAM as a tool to set research priorities in health in Argentina. Methodology: the priorities for five health problems were analyzed: communicable diseases, risk factors for non-communicable diseases, sexual and reproductive health, disabilities and children's health. An interdisciplinary working group (IWG) of 19 professionals was responsible for the execution of the protocol. Experts in each topic filled a survey that presents their perspective. Five open workshops were organized with special guests representing the different institutional dimensions. Results: A total of 48 advisors, 81 experts and 266 participants from different provinces and Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires attended the workshops, where in small groups they discussed the validation process of the CAM, that together with the search, retrieval and critical analysis of the information in charge of the IWG allowed the filling of the CAM for the majorities of the health problems initially proposed. Conclusions: the validation process indicates that the CAM is a useful tool, feasible to be completed, which fosters dialogue between the various stakeholders or participants needing health research.

The scientific production in health and biological sciences of the top 20 Brazilian universities

Brazilian scientific output exhibited a 4-fold increase in the last two decades because of the stability of the investment in research and development activities and of changes in the policies of the main funding agencies. Most of this production is concentrated in public universities and research institutes located in the richest part of the country. Among all areas of knowledge, the most productive are Health and Biological Sciences. During the 1998-2002 period these areas presented heterogeneous growth ranging from 4.5 percent (Pharmacology) to 191 percent (Psychiatry), with a median growth rate of 47.2 percent. In order to identify and rank the 20 most prolific institutions in these areas, searches were made in three databases (DataCAPES, ISI and MEDLINE) which permitted the identification of 109,507 original articles produced by the 592 Graduate Programs in Health and Biological Sciences offered by 118 public universities and research institutes. The 20 most productive centers, ranked according to the total number of ISI-indexed articles published during the 1998-2003 period, produced 78.7 percent of the papers in these areas and are strongly concentrated in the Southern part of the country, mainly in São Paulo State.