We designed a comparative case study of semi-structured interviews with present and past national decision-makers, policy advisors and researchers. Issues explored included the existence of a national HRH policy and the use, or non-use, of research evidence by policy makers and reasons to do so. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, anonymized and analysed thematically.
Results:
Policy-makers in Brazil recognize a greater use of evidence in the process of defining HRH policy when compared to Portugals. But the existence of formal instruments to support policy development is not sufficient to ensure that policies are informed by evidence.
Conclusions:
In both countries the importance of the use of evidence in the formulation of policies was recognized by policy-makers. However, the influence of other factors, such as political pressures from various lobby groups and from the media and the policy short timeframe which requires rapid responses, is predominant.