Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: Evidence-informed health policymaking is an approach to policy decisions that is intended to ensure that decision making is informed by the best available evidence. Producing policy-relevant systematic reviews requires alignment of review production with policy priorities and engagement in knowledge translation activities to promote uptake. This highlights a need for approaches that link knowledge production to knowledge translation.
Objectives: To reflect on the experiences and lessons learned from the Center for Systematic Reviews on Health Policy and Systems Research (SPARK) in producing policy-relevant and impactful systematic reviews addressing health policy and systems priorities.
Methods: SPARK collaborates closely with the Knowledge to Policy (K2P) Center (a WHO collaborating center) to promote evidence-informed health policies and practice. While SPARK focuses on the production of systematic reviews, the K2P Center focuses on knowledge translation activities and impact. The two Centers follow an integrated approach, encompassing the following phases: 1) priority setting; 2) evidence synthesis; 3) knowledge translation; 4) knowledge uptake; and, 5) impact assessment. The engagement of diverse stakeholders including policymakers, researchers, civil society organizations and citizens is central to this approach.
Results: In this presentation, we will reflect on our experience with applying the approach to several case studies which have achieved policy impact. We will also highlight the challenges and lessons learned from promoting evidence-informed health policies. These include ensuring effective policymaker-researcher interactions; engaging in knowledge co-production; leveraging knowledge-translation products, tools and mechanisms; scaling up to rapid-response systems; convening citizen consultation meetings; and engaging in evidence-informed advocacy.
Conclusions: The approach could be replicated in other contexts to help promote evidence-informed health policymaking. The experiences and lessons learned could inform other groups, platforms, and networks including Cochrane knowledge translation strategy.
Patient or healthcare consumer involvement: By promoting the engagement of consumers and citizens in the policymaking process, the approach will help promote health policies that are more responsive to population needs.
Objectives: To reflect on the experiences and lessons learned from the Center for Systematic Reviews on Health Policy and Systems Research (SPARK) in producing policy-relevant and impactful systematic reviews addressing health policy and systems priorities.
Methods: SPARK collaborates closely with the Knowledge to Policy (K2P) Center (a WHO collaborating center) to promote evidence-informed health policies and practice. While SPARK focuses on the production of systematic reviews, the K2P Center focuses on knowledge translation activities and impact. The two Centers follow an integrated approach, encompassing the following phases: 1) priority setting; 2) evidence synthesis; 3) knowledge translation; 4) knowledge uptake; and, 5) impact assessment. The engagement of diverse stakeholders including policymakers, researchers, civil society organizations and citizens is central to this approach.
Results: In this presentation, we will reflect on our experience with applying the approach to several case studies which have achieved policy impact. We will also highlight the challenges and lessons learned from promoting evidence-informed health policies. These include ensuring effective policymaker-researcher interactions; engaging in knowledge co-production; leveraging knowledge-translation products, tools and mechanisms; scaling up to rapid-response systems; convening citizen consultation meetings; and engaging in evidence-informed advocacy.
Conclusions: The approach could be replicated in other contexts to help promote evidence-informed health policymaking. The experiences and lessons learned could inform other groups, platforms, and networks including Cochrane knowledge translation strategy.
Patient or healthcare consumer involvement: By promoting the engagement of consumers and citizens in the policymaking process, the approach will help promote health policies that are more responsive to population needs.