Impact of research on the Support Program for the Institutional Development of the SUS (Unified Health System)

ABSTRACT Measuring the impact of investment in research can contribute to a better understanding of the achievement of results in health systems and to guide the management of resources for priority areas. This study sought to evaluate the impact of ‘advances in knowledge’ produced by research on health funded by the Support Program for the Institutional Development of the Unified Health System (Proadi-SUS) between 2009 and 2014 in Brazil. It is an evaluative investigation based on the institutional records of project monitoring and accountability reports presented by the research institutions. The impact analysis used some of the indicators proposed by the adapted health research evaluation model of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS). The global investments were of R$ 66.49 million in 46 investigations and identified 12 subject areas, distributed in five types of studies. The main area was cardiology. The impact analysis identified the results of 28 projects (60.8%). It was possible to observe potential advances in knowledge in the field of chronic non-infectious diseases. The transfer of knowledge generated by these surveys and the impact of investing on informed decision-making and health sector benefits have not been measured and remain challenges for an effective evaluation of the program. Studies that evaluate the use of evidence produced in clinical practice and management can help understand the impact of research funded by the Proadi-SUS in other dimensions.