State of the art of health observatories: narratives on policy and systems analysis

Abstract

The democratization and the ease of publication of information, supported by new information and communication technologies, have provided the  growing use of designated observatory tools as an  institutional device for health. This article aims to  present the results of a review of the literature on  observatories in the health area, characterizing the  scientific production on Brazilian and international  experiences dedicated to the analysis of policies and  systems. The main research topics, researchers and  results of studies were identified, with the purpose of  discussing the functions and contributions to health  policies. Through search in databases, 233  publications were found and 40 studies were selected  for analysis and categorization. Most studies show  that observatories had as their function to provide  credible information for monitoring health policies,  planning and evidence-based decision-making. It is  important to highlight the tendency to strengthen the capacity of the workforce in health, data management, availability of information, functioning  as a virtual repository of information or, even, network  organization. It concludes with a reflection  on the limits and possibilities of observatories as a  new tool for health policies.