Scoring of research priorities for the Philippine Liver Research Network

Health research networks are viewed as an avenue through which complex
health problems can be solved. Networks apply multidisciplinary expertise
and methodologies to strengthen current evidence for a particular disease
or condition. In 2019, the Philippine Council for Health Research
Development signed a bilateral agreement with the Fondazione Italiana
Fegato. Recognizing the need for liver research in the Philippines, one of
their main areas of collaboration is the creation of the Philippine Liver
Research Network. This exercise aimed to develop a research agenda for the
network. This research priority-setting exercise followed steps based on
the Philippine National Health Research System Guidelines for Health
Research Prioritization and the James Lind Alliance framework: 1) identify
stakeholders to participate, 2) map existing liver studies in the
Philippines, 3) generation of the interim list of priorities, 4) research
priority-setting consultation, and 5) seeking feedback on the research
agenda from stakeholders. Seven stakeholders participated in the research
priority-setting exercise. Soliciting research questions from stakeholders
resulted in sixty-five initial research priorities. The final research
agenda was selected through criteria selection, weight assignment, and
scoring of each research priority in a consultation. The Philippine Liver
Research Network aims to consolidate and capitalize on multi-sectoral and
mult-disciplinary collaboration opportunities to advance liver health
research in the country. With the eventual establishment of the network,
the interdisciplinary research agenda presents an important opportunity
for further funding. Although the network is currently in its early stages
of formation, this exercise may serve to aid in further organizing the
network and its stakeholders under the research agenda for 2020-2022.