Article type
Year
Abstract
Introduction/Objective: Public health research is an important link in effective public health practice, but is only valuable if adopted by practitioners and decision makers. The Public Health Effectiveness Project, a team of Hamilton-Wentworth Regional Public Health Department researchers, are committed to evidence-based practice. Through synthesis and dissemination of high quality reviews of the effectiveness of public health interventions, evidence-based practice is facilitated. Review results are communicated using different strategies.
Methods: Completed reviews are published as working papers. A public health database of over 6,000 articles evaluating or describing public health interventions or relevant risk factors is maintained for search and retrieval. All reviews, the database and full research team contact information are Internet-published. Team members present review results and practice/service implications at conferences to health unit staff and policy makers. A workshop on conducting systematic reviews has been developed and used with a wide range of health professionals.
Results: Seven systematic overviews and two background discussion papers are published in hard copy and on the Internet, on Home Visiting, Community Development, Community Based Heart Health, Adolescent Suicide Prevention, Parent-Child Health, Gender and Healthy Development, Child Health Determinants, Evaluation Research, and Health Promotion. Results are presented at local, provincial, national, and international conferences. Ten to fifteen monthly internal and external requests for working papers, appraisal tools or database article searches are filled. A growing number of requests are from international Web site visitors. Internally, the reviews are used in program planning. Team members consult with staff and managers to facilitate critical appraisal and review writing skills.
Discussion: Research can have an impact on public health nursing practice and program planning. A variety of dissemination strategies are needed to reach the broadest possible public health audience. The Public Health Effectiveness Project will continue to utilize a variety of both traditional and innovative research dissemination techniques.
Methods: Completed reviews are published as working papers. A public health database of over 6,000 articles evaluating or describing public health interventions or relevant risk factors is maintained for search and retrieval. All reviews, the database and full research team contact information are Internet-published. Team members present review results and practice/service implications at conferences to health unit staff and policy makers. A workshop on conducting systematic reviews has been developed and used with a wide range of health professionals.
Results: Seven systematic overviews and two background discussion papers are published in hard copy and on the Internet, on Home Visiting, Community Development, Community Based Heart Health, Adolescent Suicide Prevention, Parent-Child Health, Gender and Healthy Development, Child Health Determinants, Evaluation Research, and Health Promotion. Results are presented at local, provincial, national, and international conferences. Ten to fifteen monthly internal and external requests for working papers, appraisal tools or database article searches are filled. A growing number of requests are from international Web site visitors. Internally, the reviews are used in program planning. Team members consult with staff and managers to facilitate critical appraisal and review writing skills.
Discussion: Research can have an impact on public health nursing practice and program planning. A variety of dissemination strategies are needed to reach the broadest possible public health audience. The Public Health Effectiveness Project will continue to utilize a variety of both traditional and innovative research dissemination techniques.