Impact and paybacks of biomedical research findings in Malaysia 2005–2015

Bibliographic Data

ID12889111
AuthorsPei Kuan Lai (0000-0002-7227-3257, International Medical University, corresponding author), Sivalingam Nalliah (0000-0002-1465-7420, International Medical University), Cheong Lieng Teng (0000-0002-8165-0405, International Medical University), N L P Chen (International Medical University)
Year2021
Volume18
Issue1
Pages61-84
Publication date2021-10-22
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueEvidence & Policy (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1744-2648 • E-ISSN: 1744-2656
PublisherPolicy Press (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1332/174426421x16328403229964
OpenAlexW3211275822
LanguageEN
References cited10

Background: Impact in research encompasses health, economic, and cultural benefits beyond adding to the knowledge base. Funders are under immense pressure to be accountable for the paybacks from funded research. Aims and objectives: The aim of this study was to look into the impact of funded biomedical research between the years 2005 and 2015 in Malaysia from the aspects of knowledge production, research targeting and capacity building, as well as health system policy and decision making. Methods: This study employed a convergent parallel mixed-methods research design. Biomedical projects related to breast cancer, coronary heart disease, and dengue, funded by the Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), and Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) between the years 2005 and 2015, were included. Findings: From the questionnaire responses (n=58), on average each funded project managed to produce two outputs and one higher degree student. More than half (61.4%) of the funded projects led to subsequent future research. However, low citations in systematic reviews (10.3%), health policies (6.9%), and clinical practice guidelines (5.2%) were reported. In-depth interviews with the key opinion leaders also saw that most of the local research findings were found to be irrelevant to be adopted into policies by the policymakers. Discussion and conclusions: Paybacks on knowledge production as well as research targeting and capacity building had been achieved, but impact on health system policy and decision making had not been well attained, due to the lack of relevant research findings needed by the policymakers

Business · Capacity building · Christian ministry · Health care · Health technology · Medical education · Medical research · Political science · Public relations · Translational research · Global Health and Surgery · Health and Medical Research Impacts · Health Policy Implementation Science · Medicine