Systemic Gaps in Evidence-Informed Policymaking in Romania

Background

Evidence is increasingly recognized as essential for policymaking, yet its integration remains uneven. Romania illustrates fragmented evidence use: while it informs health policies when available, systemic gaps limit consistent application. Understanding these challenges is key to improving evidence use in effective, accountable, and sustainable health policies.

Methods

Within WP5 of the European Partnership on Transforming Health and Care Systems, a Horizon Europe co-funded action (no. 101095654), 24 semi-structured interviews were conducted with policymakers across eight countries, averaging three per country, with this analysis focusing on Romania. Guided by a standardized framework on barriers and facilitators to evidence-informed policymaking, interviews were recorded, transcribed, thematically analysed and contextualized using Romanian policy frameworks and OECD governance recommendations.

Results

In Romania, evidence use in health policies is largely dependent on individual initiative rather than institutionalized mechanisms. Policymakers highlight barriers including limited access to publications and datasets, a weak evaluation culture, and limited feedback mechanisms. Policy cycles and administrative practices partially reflect evidence-informed principles, treating them as guidance rather than requirements. Facilitators are limited to collaborations with research institutions, while structured platforms, dedicated agencies, and knowledge translation tools are largely absent, making evidence uptake inconsistent.

Conclusions

Strengthening evidence use in Romania requires centralized open-access data platforms, institutionalized evaluation structures, and capacity building for policymakers. Participatory approaches and international benchmarks can improve legitimacy and alignment with best practices. Institutionalizing knowledge translation is essential to reduce fragmentation, enhance transparency and ensure consistent evidence use.

Key messages

• Evidence use in Romanian health policymaking is inconsistent and largely dependent on individual initiative rather than institutional systems.

• Strengthening evidence requires formal structures such as open data platforms and institutionalized knowledge translation.