Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: Policymakers expect to receive the right evidence at the right time in order to use it in their decision-making process.This necessitates the creation of rapid response systems to deliver well-packaged and relevant synthesis of the best available evidence in short periods of time.
Objective: We describe our recently developed approach for rapid response services that spans the continuum from prioritizing questions and evidence synthesis to knowledge translation (KT).
Method: Based on the experience of the Center for Systematic Reviews of Health Policy and System Research (SPARK) in conducting systematic reviews addressing policy needs, a review of the literature on conducting systematic reviews, and informal discussions with both methodologists and policymakers, we developed an integrated approach which spans from priority setting to evidence synthesis and knowledge translation.
Results: The proposed approach begins with a preparatory phase to create demand for rapid response service.This is followed by three phases that apply to each rapid response service delivery: 1) engage policymakers and stakeholder at the service delivery interface as well as through formal and informal discussions to specify their questions; 2) search for relevant, up-to-date and good quality systematic reviews; if identify none, conduct rapid reviews; 3) develop rapid response products (e.g. 3-,10-,30-day turnaround products) and disseminate them through different channels and KT platforms. The approach is characterized by its comprehensiveness from prioritizing questions to advocacy and impact assessment, ongoing engagement of policymakers and stakeholders, and leveraging on published systematic reviews. Importantly, it differentiates between pathways for rapid reviews and pathways for systematic reviews. In this presentation, we will present the approach and share our initial experience with its implementation in terms of feasibility, challenges and lessons learned.
Conclusion: The proposed approach will help promote timely response to pressing policy priorities by leveraging on existing systematic reviews, conducting rapid reviews, and producing KT products.
Objective: We describe our recently developed approach for rapid response services that spans the continuum from prioritizing questions and evidence synthesis to knowledge translation (KT).
Method: Based on the experience of the Center for Systematic Reviews of Health Policy and System Research (SPARK) in conducting systematic reviews addressing policy needs, a review of the literature on conducting systematic reviews, and informal discussions with both methodologists and policymakers, we developed an integrated approach which spans from priority setting to evidence synthesis and knowledge translation.
Results: The proposed approach begins with a preparatory phase to create demand for rapid response service.This is followed by three phases that apply to each rapid response service delivery: 1) engage policymakers and stakeholder at the service delivery interface as well as through formal and informal discussions to specify their questions; 2) search for relevant, up-to-date and good quality systematic reviews; if identify none, conduct rapid reviews; 3) develop rapid response products (e.g. 3-,10-,30-day turnaround products) and disseminate them through different channels and KT platforms. The approach is characterized by its comprehensiveness from prioritizing questions to advocacy and impact assessment, ongoing engagement of policymakers and stakeholders, and leveraging on published systematic reviews. Importantly, it differentiates between pathways for rapid reviews and pathways for systematic reviews. In this presentation, we will present the approach and share our initial experience with its implementation in terms of feasibility, challenges and lessons learned.
Conclusion: The proposed approach will help promote timely response to pressing policy priorities by leveraging on existing systematic reviews, conducting rapid reviews, and producing KT products.