Translational research in Brazil: research topics and their adherence to the SUS Agenda

Abstract

This study aims to prospect groups and themes of translational research in Brazil that have the potential of transforming research into solutions for health in the national scope. It also aims to evaluate if there is convergence with the Agenda of Research Priorities of the Ministry of Health, the Agenda. This is an exploratory, descriptive study, based on a search in public databases in free access. Sixty-four programs / groups were located: 8 postgraduate programs, 12 research programs (Fiocruz), and 44 groups linked to translational health research. Most of the postgraduate programs are in the stricto sensu modality and linked to Public Institutions. The research / graduate programs, totaling 20, were not considered in this analysis. The other 44 research groups were categorized according to the 14 thematic axes and 172 lines of research of the Agenda lead by 4 independent and non related researchers, aiming to evaluate the existence of adherence between what is researched by these groups and the SUS (Unified Health System) Agenda. The global analysis of the results showed that the themes in progress do not correlate with the thematic axes, which indicates a certain distancing between the research being developed in Brazil and SUS needs.