Abstract

MACIAS-CHAPULA, César A. Design of a conceptual model on the transference of public health research results in Honduras. Salud pública Méx [online]. 2012, vol.54, n.6, pp.624-631. ISSN 0036-3634.

OBJECTIVE: To design a conceptual model on the transference of public health research results at the local, context level. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using systems thinking concepts, a soft systems approach (SSM) was used to analyse and solve what was perceived as a problem situation related to the transference of research results within Honduras public health system. A bibliometric analysis was also conducted to enrich the problem situation. RESULTS: Six root definitions were defined and modeled as relevant to the expressed problem situation. This led to the development of the conceptual model. The model obtained identified four levels of resolution as derived from the human activities involved in the transference of research results: 1) those of the researchers; 2) the information/documentation professionals; 3) health staff; and 4) the population/society. These actors/ clients and their activities were essential to the functioning of the model since they represent what the model is and does. CONCLUSIONS: SSM helped to design the conceptual model. The bibliometric analysis was relevant to construct the rich image of the problem situation.

Keywords : public health; systems analysis; models, theoretical; knowledge management; Honduras.