Commentary: Whose Views Count in Evidence Synthesis? And When Do They Count?

Abstract

Four recent pieces in Healthcare Policy reveal some disagreement on when and how to involve decision-makers in the process of evidence synthesis. This commentary proposes varying roles for researchers versus managers or policy makers at each of three different stages of synthesis and at the actual point of decision. It also raises the issue of how poorly current processes accommodate the broader conception of evidence held by most managers and policy makers.