Evaluability study of the health research induction program in Brazil to mitigate problems related to extreme poverty

Abstract

The multidimensionality of the poverty situation was the central premise of the Brazil Without Misery Plan (2011-2014), which aimed to eradicate extreme poverty in the country. The Oswaldo Cruz Foundation coordinated a health research induction program (2013-2018), which promoted research aimed at producing knowledge to mitigate problems related to misery. The evaluability study was guided by the theoretical and methodological instrument of the Theory of Change, which allowed us to trace the path from the initial scenario to an expected scenario, based on the induction results, represented in the logical model of the program. Through document analysis and interviews with six stakeholders from the three institutions involved, it was possible to identify the program objectives, the expected results, the public benefited by the program and the public benefited by the evaluation of the program results. This study guided the planning of the assessment that followed, as well as the definition of the Canadian model for measuring return on health research investment as a methodology. The limitations were recognized, as well as the points that favored the implementation and development of the induction program. It is further hoped that this study may contribute to evaluations of other similarly targeted programs.