Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: Knowledge translation and exchange strategies are required to support the utilisation of Cochrane Reviews in decision making.
Objectives:To analyse the views of public health practitioners and whether they change after participating in a workshop communicating the findings of a recently updated relevant review.
Methods: Audience response technology (clickers) were used to enhance engagement and identify participants' views on the topic. Participants from three Canadian public health units were polled before and after the presentation. The polling included an assessment of agreement with the statement ’Community-wide interventions effectively increase population levels of physical activity’. The review found the interventions rarely provided an effect.
Results: Across the three units, 132 participants used clickers. Initially, 77% of respondents stated they had confidence in identifying an evidence-based program or service. Prior to presentation 3% strongly agreed, and 36% agreed with the statement ‘Community-wide interventions effectively increase population levels of physical activity’. Post presentation, the agreement with the statement reduced to 1.5% strongly agreeing and 3% agreeing. Eighteen per cent voted neutral and the remaining 77.5% disagreed. A small proportion (6%) of participants increased their belief in the intervention (by 1 level on a 5 point scale), and 26% remained unchanged in their view. However, a large proportion of the participants (68%) reduced their belief by 1 or more level (Wilcoxon signed ranks test: Z= -6.850, P value < 0.001). Those who had prior belief in community-wide interventions had the greatest likelihood for change. Sixty per cent agreed with the presentation findings, 30.5% remained neutral and 9.5% disagreed.
Conclusions: Presenting findings of systematic reviews to stakeholders has the potential to modify participant’s views. The use of clickers can identify these changes and stimulate discussion. Further research is necessary to identify whether long-term policy change occurs from the presentation.
Objectives:To analyse the views of public health practitioners and whether they change after participating in a workshop communicating the findings of a recently updated relevant review.
Methods: Audience response technology (clickers) were used to enhance engagement and identify participants' views on the topic. Participants from three Canadian public health units were polled before and after the presentation. The polling included an assessment of agreement with the statement ’Community-wide interventions effectively increase population levels of physical activity’. The review found the interventions rarely provided an effect.
Results: Across the three units, 132 participants used clickers. Initially, 77% of respondents stated they had confidence in identifying an evidence-based program or service. Prior to presentation 3% strongly agreed, and 36% agreed with the statement ‘Community-wide interventions effectively increase population levels of physical activity’. Post presentation, the agreement with the statement reduced to 1.5% strongly agreeing and 3% agreeing. Eighteen per cent voted neutral and the remaining 77.5% disagreed. A small proportion (6%) of participants increased their belief in the intervention (by 1 level on a 5 point scale), and 26% remained unchanged in their view. However, a large proportion of the participants (68%) reduced their belief by 1 or more level (Wilcoxon signed ranks test: Z= -6.850, P value < 0.001). Those who had prior belief in community-wide interventions had the greatest likelihood for change. Sixty per cent agreed with the presentation findings, 30.5% remained neutral and 9.5% disagreed.
Conclusions: Presenting findings of systematic reviews to stakeholders has the potential to modify participant’s views. The use of clickers can identify these changes and stimulate discussion. Further research is necessary to identify whether long-term policy change occurs from the presentation.