Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: Healthcare Information For All (HIFA) is a global initiative of more than 15,000 individuals in 270 countries. In February 2016 HIFA launched a new program on Evidence Informed Policy and Practice, supported by World Health Organization (WHO), TDR (WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases) and The Lancet. Three themed discussions through HIFA’s virtual forum, each lasting six weeks are planned under this program. The first discussion in February to March 2016 was on the theme of evidence-informed country-level policy making.
Objectives: To present the experience of a themed discussion on evidence-informed health policy-making in the HIFA virtual forum.
Methods: A working group was initially created that was later expanded to add additional members and expert advisors. The working group created a detailed background document consisting of five questions, each including several probable subthemes to explore as prompts and a bibliography to stimulate the discussion. The discussion moderator sent one question every week to start the discussion.
1. What is evidence-informed policy making? Why do countries need it?
2. How are health policies currently made in different countries? In your country?
3. What are the key challenges for policymakers?
4. What mechanisms are in place to support policy making in your country? Which organisations provide support globally and nationally?
5. What needs to be done at global and country level to strengthen evidence-informed policy making?
Results: More than 130 contributions from 34 authors in 16 countries were received.The presentation will summarize the key themes that emerged from the discussion about the drivers and barriers for evidence-informed country-level policy making. This will be based on a realist synthesis to be undertaken.
Conclusion: The presentation will present the experience of the working group in preparing for and moderating the discussion, discuss how key themes emerged from discussion, together with their implications, and the steps required to develop a fuller understanding of the issues raised and how these issues can be addressed more effectively.
Objectives: To present the experience of a themed discussion on evidence-informed health policy-making in the HIFA virtual forum.
Methods: A working group was initially created that was later expanded to add additional members and expert advisors. The working group created a detailed background document consisting of five questions, each including several probable subthemes to explore as prompts and a bibliography to stimulate the discussion. The discussion moderator sent one question every week to start the discussion.
1. What is evidence-informed policy making? Why do countries need it?
2. How are health policies currently made in different countries? In your country?
3. What are the key challenges for policymakers?
4. What mechanisms are in place to support policy making in your country? Which organisations provide support globally and nationally?
5. What needs to be done at global and country level to strengthen evidence-informed policy making?
Results: More than 130 contributions from 34 authors in 16 countries were received.The presentation will summarize the key themes that emerged from the discussion about the drivers and barriers for evidence-informed country-level policy making. This will be based on a realist synthesis to be undertaken.
Conclusion: The presentation will present the experience of the working group in preparing for and moderating the discussion, discuss how key themes emerged from discussion, together with their implications, and the steps required to develop a fuller understanding of the issues raised and how these issues can be addressed more effectively.