Abstract
BackgroundThis paper aims to describe the influence of general practice based research on the development of two specific policy initiatives, namely the Heartwatch Programme in Ireland and the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care (BOiMHC) program in Australia. A case study approach was used to explore the extent to which relevant general practice based research shaped these initiatives.ResultsIn both case studies, a range of factors beyond general practice based research shaped the initiative in question, including political will, the involvement of stakeholders (including key opinion leaders), and the historical context. Nonetheless, the research played an important role, and was not merely put to 'symbolic use' to support a position that had already been reached independently. Rather, both case studies provide examples of 'instrumental use': in the case of Heartwatch, the research was considered early in the piece; in the case of the BOiMHC program, it had a specific impact on the detail of the components of the initiative.ConclusionGeneral practice based research can influence policy-making and planning processes by strengthening the foundation of evidence upon which they draw. This influence will not occur in a vacuum, however, and general practice researchers can maximise the likelihood of their work being 'picked up' in policy if they consider the principles underpinning knowledge transfer.
Highlights
Over the years, considerable attention has been paid to the extent to which health services research findings influence health policy directions
The current paper describes the authors' experiences in Ireland and Australia with regard to the influence of general practice based research on the development of specific cardiovascular and mental health policy initiatives, respectively
Data were gathered on 1,611 patients with established heart disease from a random sample of 35 general practices
Summary
Considerable attention has been paid to the extent to which health services research findings influence health policy directions. For example, identified taxonomy of types of research use that comprised instrumental, conceptual and symbolic uses. 'Instrumental use' occurs when research findings are acted on in specific and direct ways, such as when evaluation results are used to reshape a given health program. 'Symbolic use' involves drawing on research to (page number not for citation purposes). This paper aims to describe the influence of general practice based research on the development of two specific policy initiatives, namely the Heartwatch Programme in Ireland and the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care (BOiMHC) program in Australia. A case study approach was used to explore the extent to which relevant general practice based research shaped these initiatives
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