Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: The Centre for Development of Best Practices in Health (CDBPH) in Yaounde, Cameroon is a knowledge translation unit that collects, synthesizes and communicates relevant evidence to stakeholders in user-friendly formats.
Objectives: In collaboration with the Effective Health Care Research Consortium (EHCRC) we sought to promote evidence-based decision making in the health sector by improving the generation, use and uptake of high quality health research evidence related to developing countries, over 5 years.
Methods: We used email and door-to-door priority setting with Ministry of Health staff and other stakeholders; systematic review workshops with researchers; supporting authors of Cochrane Reviews; evidence-based-practice workshops with clinicians, journalists and civil society organisations; translation and dissemination of Cochrane Review summaries, evidence assessments and the creation of evidencebased- medicine (EBM) task forces within selected hospitals in Cameroon.
Results: The door-to door priority setting exercise was the most fruitful, with a three-fold response rate compared to email. After 2 years, three protocols and one review have been completed. Thirty seven locally-relevant Cochrane Review summaries have been translated into French in collaboration with the French Cochrane Centre. Eight bilingual evidence summaries have been produced and four functional EBM task forces have been created. Four workshops targeting a variety of stakeholders (journalists, civil society organisations, researchers, clinicians) have been held.
Conclusions: Setting priorities with stakeholders enhances end-user participation. Door-to-door priority setting is very effective in our setting and should be encouraged for activities with a potential for low response. Collaborating with other centres is necessary to avoid duplication of translation efforts. Engaging a wide variety of stakeholders in the generation of evidence augments uptake and use.
Objectives: In collaboration with the Effective Health Care Research Consortium (EHCRC) we sought to promote evidence-based decision making in the health sector by improving the generation, use and uptake of high quality health research evidence related to developing countries, over 5 years.
Methods: We used email and door-to-door priority setting with Ministry of Health staff and other stakeholders; systematic review workshops with researchers; supporting authors of Cochrane Reviews; evidence-based-practice workshops with clinicians, journalists and civil society organisations; translation and dissemination of Cochrane Review summaries, evidence assessments and the creation of evidencebased- medicine (EBM) task forces within selected hospitals in Cameroon.
Results: The door-to door priority setting exercise was the most fruitful, with a three-fold response rate compared to email. After 2 years, three protocols and one review have been completed. Thirty seven locally-relevant Cochrane Review summaries have been translated into French in collaboration with the French Cochrane Centre. Eight bilingual evidence summaries have been produced and four functional EBM task forces have been created. Four workshops targeting a variety of stakeholders (journalists, civil society organisations, researchers, clinicians) have been held.
Conclusions: Setting priorities with stakeholders enhances end-user participation. Door-to-door priority setting is very effective in our setting and should be encouraged for activities with a potential for low response. Collaborating with other centres is necessary to avoid duplication of translation efforts. Engaging a wide variety of stakeholders in the generation of evidence augments uptake and use.