Article type
Abstract
Background: Healthcare Information For All (HIFA) is a global community of practice, administered by Global Healthcare Information Network, a UK-based nongovernmental organization (NGO) in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO) since 2022. This work was undertaken in the context of the 3-year HIFA-WHO Collaboration Plan: https://publicspace.who.int/sites/GEM/official_relations_details.aspx?id=1442
Objectives: To assess global stakeholder views on
1. How important is the availability and use of reliable healthcare information?
2. What should be done to improve the availability and use of reliable healthcare information?
3. What more can WHO and HIFA do to accelerate progress toward universal access to reliable healthcare information?
Methods: Validated, mixed-methods, online survey with 21 questions, available in 10 languages, using Qualtrics, targeted to professionals in the global evidence ecosystem. Respondents were invited to complete Likert scales and optional comments on statements relating to objective 1 (4 statements) and objective 2 (7 statements based on the World Medical Association Policy Statement (2019), https://www.wma.net/policies-post/wma-statement-on-healthcare-information-for-all/). For objective 3, we invited respondents to complete 2 MCQs and provide optional comments.
Results: There were 2410 respondents from 136 countries, representing all stakeholder groups in the global evidence ecosystem. There was strong support for all 11 statements. Respondents overwhelmingly called for WHO and HIFA to convene stakeholders to develop a global strategy for universal access to reliable healthcare information. A report is now (March 2024) being prepared for WHO.
Conclusion: These findings confirm strong support for universal access to reliable healthcare information. There was overwhelming support for WHO and HIFA to convene stakeholders to develop a global strategy to achieve universal access. WHO is uniquely positioned to convene stakeholders, and HIFA is uniquely placed to support WHO by promoting communication across the global evidence ecosystem. HIFA stands ready to collaborate with WHO for a world where every person, every health worker, and every policymaker will have access to the information they need to protect their own health and the health of others.
Acknowledgments: Main funders: Elsevier Foundation, Oxford PharmaGenesis, UK National Institute for Health Research. Technical support: Costello Medical Consulting, IFLA E4GDH, JBI, Stanford University.
Objectives: To assess global stakeholder views on
1. How important is the availability and use of reliable healthcare information?
2. What should be done to improve the availability and use of reliable healthcare information?
3. What more can WHO and HIFA do to accelerate progress toward universal access to reliable healthcare information?
Methods: Validated, mixed-methods, online survey with 21 questions, available in 10 languages, using Qualtrics, targeted to professionals in the global evidence ecosystem. Respondents were invited to complete Likert scales and optional comments on statements relating to objective 1 (4 statements) and objective 2 (7 statements based on the World Medical Association Policy Statement (2019), https://www.wma.net/policies-post/wma-statement-on-healthcare-information-for-all/). For objective 3, we invited respondents to complete 2 MCQs and provide optional comments.
Results: There were 2410 respondents from 136 countries, representing all stakeholder groups in the global evidence ecosystem. There was strong support for all 11 statements. Respondents overwhelmingly called for WHO and HIFA to convene stakeholders to develop a global strategy for universal access to reliable healthcare information. A report is now (March 2024) being prepared for WHO.
Conclusion: These findings confirm strong support for universal access to reliable healthcare information. There was overwhelming support for WHO and HIFA to convene stakeholders to develop a global strategy to achieve universal access. WHO is uniquely positioned to convene stakeholders, and HIFA is uniquely placed to support WHO by promoting communication across the global evidence ecosystem. HIFA stands ready to collaborate with WHO for a world where every person, every health worker, and every policymaker will have access to the information they need to protect their own health and the health of others.
Acknowledgments: Main funders: Elsevier Foundation, Oxford PharmaGenesis, UK National Institute for Health Research. Technical support: Costello Medical Consulting, IFLA E4GDH, JBI, Stanford University.