Sharing lessons learnt from multi-site innovative models to increase use of evidence in policy and practice
By Etienne V. Langlois, Taryn Young, Victor Becerril Montekio, Nhan Tran
Over the past 2 years we learnt some key lessons during the implementation of two multi-site evidence-to-policy models funded by the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, World Health Organization.
What did we do?
The first model used implementation research facilitated by communities of practice among maternal and reproductive health stakeholders in selected regions of Mexico and Nicaragua. Each community of practice developed implementation research proposals and developed decision tools to improve program implementation. The second model was the Policy BUilding Demand for evidence in Decision making through Interaction and Enhancing Skills (Policy BUDDIES), implemented in South Africa and Cameroon, where following an initial situational analysis, the project linked researchers to policymakers, to enhance demand and use of systematic reviews by sub-national policymakers.
How did the implementation go?
In Mexico, the engagement shed light on failures in training workshops to detect warning signs in pregnancy, and triggered monitoring by local health organizations of the quality of care delivered by maternal health programs. In Nicaragua, the communities of practice assisted the management and control of incident chikungunya and dengue. Policy BUDDIES engaged sub-national policymakers working on task shifting for antiretroviral therapy, nutrition and medication adherence for chronic diseases.
What did we learn?
Despite different approaches – types of research used, level of decision-makers engaged, and e-health platforms used – ownership by decision-makers, continuity of engagement between researchers and policymakers, and responsiveness to decision maker needs were facilitators in both models.
The evidence-to-policy models highlight the key role of fit-for-purpose approaches, whereby different stages in decision-making cycles require adapted policy-relevant processes.
Find out more about our lessons by joining an upcoming webinar on 23 November 2015 | 16:00-17:00 CET (Geneva)
To register, please send an email to alliancehpsr(at)who.int (subject line: “Webinar”). Please include your first and last name and your organization/institution.
For additional information, please visit: http://www.who.int/alliance-hpsr/events/ldwebinar/en/
