A needs analysis of health services research in Malta.

Abstract

Health services research is the means of ensuring that the health service uses its best possible resources in the most efficient way, by providing problem solving approaches and meaningful information for decision makers. The national vision intends to prioritise research and innovation thus supporting value-added growth and wealth. To reach this goal in the Maltese public healthcare system a needs analysis process needs to be performed in order to identify problems or other issues in the organization that can either enhance or impede this approach. The aim of this study is to identify what types of research are best applied in the Maltese public health care system to achieve the objectives of improving the health care system for the benefit of the Maltese people. Its aims are that there will be a common understanding of the main priorities for research from the service providers' point of view. The methodology used in this study consisted of, two rounds of the Delphi methodology. The statistical tests performed included the Kruskal Wallis and the one sample T- test. The target population to form part of the expert panel of this study were the members of the top management of Mater Dei, Sir Paul Boffa , and Zammit Clapp Hospitals. The panel consisted of 29 participants out of which 23 returned the filled questions giving a response rate of 79.3% in the first round. The second round questionnaire was built up from the short listed answers which were compiled and separated into themes from the analysis of the first questionnaire. The findings of this study yielded actionable results that can be used by the health authorities and hospital management of the three hospitals that were studied, in order to achieve the objectives of improving the health care system for the benefit of their respective patients and their families. It can also be used to help the organization define program goals by addressing those areas that require improvement with the least possible expense to the taxpayer and the maximum possible increase for added value of the finite resources at the disposal of the health services.

Keywords: Needs analyses, Health research, Health systems, Maltese health Documents, Evidence-based research, Delphi method.