Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: Low carbohydrate diets for weight loss and cardiovascular benefits have generated controversy between advocates, media and health professionals. At the request of the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa, we conducted a systematic review and actively disseminated its findings to inform ongoing debates.
Objectives: To describe the stakeholder-specific dissemination strategy for a systematic review and assess its ‘reach’ and reflect on lessons learnt.
Methods: We planned, developed and implemented a stakeholder-specific dissemination strategy, including identifying priority stakeholders, communication objectives and channels; tailoring approaches for stakeholders; developing appropriate products; and interacting with key role players. ‘Reach’, defined here as exposure to information, was measured by capturing all dissemination, including media monitoring and non-traditional metrics.
Results: Stakeholders included scientists, health professionals, media, public and policymakers. Implementation resulted in wide ‘reach’, including 14 scientific presentations, two national television and five radio interviews, broad social media coverage, Altmetric score in the 99th percentile and more than 75 print and digital media contributions. The ‘reach’ was likely positively influenced by the controversy and public interest, as well as by interaction between the researchers and key stakeholders. The ‘reach’ may have increased stakeholders’ motivation and ability to use the evidence to inform decision-making. There is value in responding to stakeholders, producing a timely, rigorous review, disseminating it via a planned, targeted strategy, and being prepared and responsive to media requests.
Conclusions: Planning and implementation of a targeted dissemination strategy for a systematic review is likely to increase the ‘reach’ and possibly use of rigorous evidence. Part of the success related to the timeliness of completion. Review teams should be mindful that detailed, opportune planning and preparation of a dissemination strategy is essential, especially for controversial, media-hot topics.
Objectives: To describe the stakeholder-specific dissemination strategy for a systematic review and assess its ‘reach’ and reflect on lessons learnt.
Methods: We planned, developed and implemented a stakeholder-specific dissemination strategy, including identifying priority stakeholders, communication objectives and channels; tailoring approaches for stakeholders; developing appropriate products; and interacting with key role players. ‘Reach’, defined here as exposure to information, was measured by capturing all dissemination, including media monitoring and non-traditional metrics.
Results: Stakeholders included scientists, health professionals, media, public and policymakers. Implementation resulted in wide ‘reach’, including 14 scientific presentations, two national television and five radio interviews, broad social media coverage, Altmetric score in the 99th percentile and more than 75 print and digital media contributions. The ‘reach’ was likely positively influenced by the controversy and public interest, as well as by interaction between the researchers and key stakeholders. The ‘reach’ may have increased stakeholders’ motivation and ability to use the evidence to inform decision-making. There is value in responding to stakeholders, producing a timely, rigorous review, disseminating it via a planned, targeted strategy, and being prepared and responsive to media requests.
Conclusions: Planning and implementation of a targeted dissemination strategy for a systematic review is likely to increase the ‘reach’ and possibly use of rigorous evidence. Part of the success related to the timeliness of completion. Review teams should be mindful that detailed, opportune planning and preparation of a dissemination strategy is essential, especially for controversial, media-hot topics.