Abstract
BackgroundEvidence-based policies should underpin successful implementation of innovations within child health care. The EU-funded Models of Child Health Appraised project enabled research into effective methods to communicate research evidence. The objective of this study was to identify and categorize methods to communicate evidence-based research recommendations and means to tailor this to stakeholder audiences.MethodsWe conducted an online survey among national stakeholders in child health. Analysis of the most effective strategies to communicate research evidence and reach the target audience was carried out in order to ensure implementation of optimal child health care models at a national level.ResultsRepresentatives of stakeholders from 21 of the then 30 EU MS and EEA countries responded to the questionnaire. Three main approaches in defining the strategies for effective communication of research recommendations were observed, namely: dissemination of information, involvement of stakeholders and active attitude towards change expressed in actions. The target audience for communicating recommendations was divided into two layers: proximal, which includes those who are remaining in close contact with the child, and distal, which contains those who are institutionally responsible for high quality of child health services. They should be recipients of evidence-based results communicated by different formats, such as scientific, administrative, popular and personal.ConclusionsInfluential stakeholders impact the process of effective research dissemination and guide necessary actions to strengthen the process of effective communication of recommendations. Communication of evidence-based results should be targeted to each audience’s profile, both professional and non-professionals, by adjusting appropriate communication formats.
Highlights
Child oriented health policies are universally important
99 (61.5%) of 161 nominated stakeholders started the questionnaire, 90 (55.9%) completed it—they were from 21 countries comprising all European Union (EU) Member States except Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, France, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Slovenia and the UK, plus Norway and Iceland from the Economic Area (EEA)
A total of 62 out of 90 respondents answered the questions about most effective strategy, target audience and format for communicating policy recommendations
Summary
Child oriented health policies are universally important. one of the priorities of the Universal Health Coverage strategy of the World Health Organization (WHO) is Primary Health Care, which includes actions on improvement of maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health.[1]. Analysis of the most effective strategies to communicate research evidence and reach the target audience was carried out in order to ensure implementation of optimal child health care models at a national level. The target audience for communicating recommendations was divided into two layers: proximal, which includes those who are remaining in close contact with the child, and distal, which contains those who are institutionally responsible for high quality of child health services. They should be recipients of evidence-based results communicated by different formats, such as scientific, administrative, popular and personal. Communication of evidence-based results should be targeted to each audience’s profile, both professional and non-professionals, by adjusting appropriate communication formats
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