Doshmangir L^1,2 (MSc, PhD), Mostafavi H³ (PhD Condidate), Rashidian A^3,4 * (MD, PhD)

  ¹ Health Management and Economics Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

  ² School of Health Management & Information sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

  ³ Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health,

  Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

  4 Knowledge Utilization Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

  Review Article

  Received: 15 Jan 2014, Accepted: 21 Apr 2014

  Abstract

  Introduction: Achieving the policy goals is a main challenge for policymakers in every country. Given the importance of health policies, policy making processes become very important. Success in policymaking in health sector requires an accurate analysis of all policy options and influential factors on policy outcomes. Knowledge of various approaches and methods of policy analysis is an important step for a successful policy analysis. In this study, we explored the roles, approaches and methods of policy analysis, especially in the health sector.

  Methods: In this review study, we searched local and international databases of published research using related keywords. We also reviewed referensecs of the collected resources. Finally, we read 84 papers and books for this review.

  Results: Policy analysis includes a broad area and involves studying the content of policy, policy adoption, formulation, implementation and policy outcomes. There are different frameworks, approaches and methods for policy analysis which can be used based on the disciplinary framework, goals and objectives of analysis. Using approaches and methods of policy analysis helps a better understanding of the elements of a policy. Policy analysis is useful to better understand the policy process and provide related policy evidence for problems and policy changes. We provide a summary of these approaches and frameworks in this paper.

  Conclusion: Applying appropriate frameworks, approaches or methods of policy analysis is important in better understanding of the policy and problems. Proper policy analysis can help policy researchers in understanding of health policy outcomes.

  Keywords: policy, public policy, health policy analysis, Iran

  Please cite this article as follows:

  Doshmangir L, Mostafavi H, Rashidian A. How to do policy analysis? A view on approaches and modes of policy analysis in health secto r. Hakim Health Sys Res 2014 17(2): 138- 150.

  ^* Corresponding Author: School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Tel: +98- 21-66707529, Fax: +98- 21-63453232. E-mail: arashidian@tums.ac.ir