Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: Many reform efforts in health systems fall short because of failure to use research evidence optimally to inform policy.
Objectives: Using an impact-oriented knowledge translation framework to link research to action, we describe the process of promoting rational drug use in Lebanon through developing policy-relevant systematic reviews (SRs) and applying knowledge translation (KT) tools to achieve impact.
Methods: The process employs the following key steps:
1. generation of potential priority topics;
2. priority setting exercise with policymakers and stakeholders;
3. production of SRs;
4. development of a policy brief;
5. semi-structured interviews with key informants;
6. convening of a national policy dialogue;
7. evaluation of policy brief and dialogue; and
8. advocacy plan.
Results: Fifty-two policymakers, stakeholders and researchers participated in a national priority setting exercise in which strengthening the pharmaceutical sector was confirmed as a top health policy priority. Participants were engaged in generating and prioritizing SR questions on the priority topic. Several SRs were subsequently conducted addressing the priority questions. The findings from SRs were translated into KT products, including an evidence brief for policy. The brief was revised based on semi-structured interviews with ten targeted informants. The brief will be disseminated in a national policy dialogue scheduled in early September 2016 with 24 national key stakeholders. The brief and dialogue will be evaluated using validated tools, and a post-dialogue survey will be conducted. The evaluation of the policy brief and dialogue will be used as inputs to develop an evidence-based advocacy plan. In this presentation, we will discuss and reflect on the process, results and lessons learned from using an impact-oriented knowledge translation framework to impact policy agenda.
Conclusions: Applying an integrated KT framework that uses different KT tools and mechanisms is critical to allow the findings of systematic reviews to impact policy agendas and action.
Objectives: Using an impact-oriented knowledge translation framework to link research to action, we describe the process of promoting rational drug use in Lebanon through developing policy-relevant systematic reviews (SRs) and applying knowledge translation (KT) tools to achieve impact.
Methods: The process employs the following key steps:
1. generation of potential priority topics;
2. priority setting exercise with policymakers and stakeholders;
3. production of SRs;
4. development of a policy brief;
5. semi-structured interviews with key informants;
6. convening of a national policy dialogue;
7. evaluation of policy brief and dialogue; and
8. advocacy plan.
Results: Fifty-two policymakers, stakeholders and researchers participated in a national priority setting exercise in which strengthening the pharmaceutical sector was confirmed as a top health policy priority. Participants were engaged in generating and prioritizing SR questions on the priority topic. Several SRs were subsequently conducted addressing the priority questions. The findings from SRs were translated into KT products, including an evidence brief for policy. The brief was revised based on semi-structured interviews with ten targeted informants. The brief will be disseminated in a national policy dialogue scheduled in early September 2016 with 24 national key stakeholders. The brief and dialogue will be evaluated using validated tools, and a post-dialogue survey will be conducted. The evaluation of the policy brief and dialogue will be used as inputs to develop an evidence-based advocacy plan. In this presentation, we will discuss and reflect on the process, results and lessons learned from using an impact-oriented knowledge translation framework to impact policy agenda.
Conclusions: Applying an integrated KT framework that uses different KT tools and mechanisms is critical to allow the findings of systematic reviews to impact policy agendas and action.