Evidence-Informed Policy and Practice

Short-edit version of a discussion initiated by HIFA member Charles Dhewa, Zimbabwe, October 2018.

Long-edit version of a discussion initiated by HIFA member Charles Dhewa, Zimbabwe, October 2018.

Full version of a discussion initiated by HIFA member Charles Dhewa, Zimbabwe, October 2018.

From 15 May to 23 June 2017 the HIFA Evidence-Informed Policy and Practice working group supported a HIFA thematic discussion on Systematic Reviews, around five questions. 89 messages, from 36 contributors, were received responding to the questions. This narrative review summarizes the opinions expressed by those contributors.  With thanks to HIFA working group members Sylvia de Haan and Rob Terry.

HIFA Discussion on Systematic Reviews
Compilation IN FULL: 89 messages (up to 21 June 2017)

HIFA Discussion on Systematic Reviews
EDITED version, 7 July 2017

Systematic reviews are widely recognised as essential for evidence-informed policy and practice. It has been argued that they are particularly important in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where it is vital for policymakers and practitioners to focus resources on interventions that will have a positive impact on health. However, there are many potential barriers to the use of systematic reviews in LMICs, which include understanding, awareness and perceptions of policymakers and practitioners; geographical biases of health research and systematic reviews; and the ability to access, interpret systematic reviews in international and national clinical and policy guidelines. 

The Cochrane Collaboration is the leading producer of systematic reviews. We set out to see how many times Cochrane was mentioned in HIFA messages and how it was discussed...

• Specific Cochrane reviews 
• Improving knowledge and practice of practitioners
• Improving knowledge and practice of policymakers
• Increasing relevance of Cochrane reviews to LMICs
• Translation of Cochrane reviews
• Increasing visibility, awareness and understanding of Cochrane reviews

'One major theme throughout the emails was the focus on how low and middle income countries (LMICs) should be more included in Cochrane and in health research more generally, as well as how this can be done.'

Dr Soumyadeep Bhaumik gave this Powerpoint presentation at the Cochrane Colloquium in Seoul, South Korea (23-27 October 2016), on behalf of the Evidence-Informed Policy and Practice working group. The presentation highlights some of the key points emerging from the HIFA thematic discussion on Evidence-Informed Country-Level Health Policymaking.

With support from WHO, TDR and The Lancet, HIFA held a thematic discussion on Evidence-informed country-level policy-making, from 22 February to 31 March 2016. There were 136 contributions from 36 participants in 16 countries (Brazil, Cameroon, Croatia, Ghana, Honduras, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Nepal, Nigeria, Norway, South Africa, Switzerland, UK, USA, and Zambia). Below are a few selected extracts from the discussions. A longer version is available on request. The participants also highlighted 35 papers relevant to the subject, available separately.

36 participants in 16 countries (Brazil, Cameroon, Croatia, Ghana, Honduras, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Nepal, Nigeria, Norway, South Africa, Switzerland, UK, USA, and Zambia)

This document provides a record of bibliographic references cited by HIFA members during the HIFA discussion on Evidence-Informed Country-Level Policymaking

Implementation Research - Discussion in Full