Article type
Year
Abstract
Background:
The application of systematic reviews and other knowledge syntheses (e.g. scoping reviews) is increasing to address various high-priority issues at the human, animal and environmental health interface in Canada. However, knowledge syntheses are primarily disseminated in formats that are highly technical, lengthy, and are not easily accessible and understandable by research end-users such as policy- and decision-makers, policy analysts and advisors, and other public health professionals. Previous research indicates that these audiences would prefer to receive research information in shorter, more appealing formats that are written in plain language.
Objectives:
We developed a series of one-page, plain-language summaries of published knowledge syntheses and other research knowledge (e.g. risk assessments) at the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to improve the transfer and exchange of this knowledge to inform decision-making.
Methods:
We developed a standardized summary template that was informed by reviewing and evaluating plain-language summary formats from other organizations and sectors. In addition, we piloted a strategy to produce these summaries in a consistent and timely manner using trained knowledge brokers. Currently, the template has been applied to seven recently published (2012-2013) journal articles authored or co-authored by PHAC researchers working in the areas of food safety, zoonotic infectious diseases, and environmental health.
Results:
The initial summary template has received enthusiastic and positive preliminary feedback from our research end-users. The summaries appear to help address some fundamental reporting issues for knowledge synthesis evidence, mainly articulating findings in key 'take-home' messages that can be easily reported to end-users in one or two short sentences. A formal evaluation of the summaries is planned to evaluate further their accessibility and utility for end-users.
Conclusions:
Summaries are a promising tool to enhance the uptake of research knowledge by senior decision-makers and those who support them in Canada about zoonotic and environmental public health issues.
The application of systematic reviews and other knowledge syntheses (e.g. scoping reviews) is increasing to address various high-priority issues at the human, animal and environmental health interface in Canada. However, knowledge syntheses are primarily disseminated in formats that are highly technical, lengthy, and are not easily accessible and understandable by research end-users such as policy- and decision-makers, policy analysts and advisors, and other public health professionals. Previous research indicates that these audiences would prefer to receive research information in shorter, more appealing formats that are written in plain language.
Objectives:
We developed a series of one-page, plain-language summaries of published knowledge syntheses and other research knowledge (e.g. risk assessments) at the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to improve the transfer and exchange of this knowledge to inform decision-making.
Methods:
We developed a standardized summary template that was informed by reviewing and evaluating plain-language summary formats from other organizations and sectors. In addition, we piloted a strategy to produce these summaries in a consistent and timely manner using trained knowledge brokers. Currently, the template has been applied to seven recently published (2012-2013) journal articles authored or co-authored by PHAC researchers working in the areas of food safety, zoonotic infectious diseases, and environmental health.
Results:
The initial summary template has received enthusiastic and positive preliminary feedback from our research end-users. The summaries appear to help address some fundamental reporting issues for knowledge synthesis evidence, mainly articulating findings in key 'take-home' messages that can be easily reported to end-users in one or two short sentences. A formal evaluation of the summaries is planned to evaluate further their accessibility and utility for end-users.
Conclusions:
Summaries are a promising tool to enhance the uptake of research knowledge by senior decision-makers and those who support them in Canada about zoonotic and environmental public health issues.