Article type
Year
Abstract
Introduction:
The Centre for Development of Best Practices in Health (CDBPH) is the only knowledge translation and exchange unit in Cameroon. It aims to promote evidence-informed practice in the health sector by producing evidence syntheses and systematic reviews, disseminating relevant evidence, and training stakeholders in their uptake.
Objectives:
Within the Effective Health Care Research Consortium (EHCRC) project, we aimed to promote evidence-based decision making (EBDM) among hospital managers by introducing them to the evaluation and uptake of research evidence.
Methods:
A half-day workshop was held with 14 selected hospital managers. This included PowerPoint presentations in French and a short group discussion on how participants view decision-making. They were invited to set priorities for decisions and state how decisions are then made. An introduction to the research and evaluation of relevant evidence followed. Each participant completed the satisfaction evaluation form.
Results:
Main priorities were related to delays to emergency care, insufficient human resources, inappropriate procedures, lack of equipment and teamwork. Factors that motivated managers to address them were performance, quality, effectiveness, user satisfaction and fear of mistakes. All participants were satisfied with the workshop and found the content relevant to help decision making. The social climate was found appropriate too. Ninety-three per cent of participants found the methods used effective, 21% needed more time for the task. Participants expressed interest and asked for further workshops with practical exercises in their respective hospitals to apply EBDM to their specific priorities. Some asked for a special session to evaluate the effects of the first one. A translation of the presentations into English was also needed.
Conclusions:
EBDM can be introduced to hospital managers through a short and interactive workshop. Complementary practical sessions are also needed, based on identified priorities.
The Centre for Development of Best Practices in Health (CDBPH) is the only knowledge translation and exchange unit in Cameroon. It aims to promote evidence-informed practice in the health sector by producing evidence syntheses and systematic reviews, disseminating relevant evidence, and training stakeholders in their uptake.
Objectives:
Within the Effective Health Care Research Consortium (EHCRC) project, we aimed to promote evidence-based decision making (EBDM) among hospital managers by introducing them to the evaluation and uptake of research evidence.
Methods:
A half-day workshop was held with 14 selected hospital managers. This included PowerPoint presentations in French and a short group discussion on how participants view decision-making. They were invited to set priorities for decisions and state how decisions are then made. An introduction to the research and evaluation of relevant evidence followed. Each participant completed the satisfaction evaluation form.
Results:
Main priorities were related to delays to emergency care, insufficient human resources, inappropriate procedures, lack of equipment and teamwork. Factors that motivated managers to address them were performance, quality, effectiveness, user satisfaction and fear of mistakes. All participants were satisfied with the workshop and found the content relevant to help decision making. The social climate was found appropriate too. Ninety-three per cent of participants found the methods used effective, 21% needed more time for the task. Participants expressed interest and asked for further workshops with practical exercises in their respective hospitals to apply EBDM to their specific priorities. Some asked for a special session to evaluate the effects of the first one. A translation of the presentations into English was also needed.
Conclusions:
EBDM can be introduced to hospital managers through a short and interactive workshop. Complementary practical sessions are also needed, based on identified priorities.