Capacity for evidence-informed policymaking across Europe: development and piloting of a multistakeholder survey

Evidence-informed policymaking (EIP) is increasingly viewed as a complex endeavour that requires integration of research evidence with available resources and the preferences of those affected by the policy. The first technical expert meeting to enhance EIP in the World Health Organization (WHO) Eur...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Public health (London) 2018-10, Vol.163, p.54-60
Main Authors:	Visram, S., Hunter, D.J., Kuchenmüller, T.
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Capacity Building - organization & administration Civil society Cross-Sectional Studies Electronic publishing Europe Evidence-based medicine Evidence-Based Practice Evidence-informed policymaking Experts Feasibility Feasibility studies Health care policy Health Policy Humans International collaboration Knowledge translation Pilot Projects Policy Making Polls & surveys Public health Recruitment Stakeholder Participation Survey Surveys and Questionnaires Target groups Translation World Health Organization
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Summary:	Evidence-informed policymaking (EIP) is increasingly viewed as a complex endeavour that requires integration of research evidence with available resources and the preferences of those affected by the policy. The first technical expert meeting to enhance EIP in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region identified the scope to develop and conduct a survey to gather insights into the generation, translation and application of research evidence across the region. This article describes the process of developing and piloting a multistakeholder survey (promoted and technically supported by WHO/Europe) on the topic of capacity for EIP. Rapid review and pilot cross-sectional survey. A survey instrument was developed based on findings from the published literature and refined with input from EIP experts/champions. The online survey was then piloted using various recruitment strategies designed to maximise its reach among the key target groups (senior researchers, knowledge brokers and members of civil society). The rapid review revealed a clear gap in the evidence base in relation to broader surveys of capacity for EIP, as opposed to evidence-based practice at an individual level. Thirteen responses to the pilot survey were received from individuals in 10 European countries. Reported barriers to EIP included a lack of understanding among policymakers and a lack of interaction with researchers. There were examples of efforts to enhance capacity for EIP, both at region or country level and through membership of international networks and collaborations. However, few examples were given of the application and impact of research evidence on the policymaking process. This research has demonstrated the feasibility of developing and piloting a multicountry, multistakeholder survey to generate better understanding of evidence use in health policymaking. Next steps include incorporating the lessons learned into a revised version of the survey to be implemented with all 53 WHO/Europe Member States. •Public health policies still tend not to be well-informed by research evidence.•Few studies have examined capacities for evidence-informed policymaking.•We developed and piloted a multicountry, multistakeholder survey.•However, we found few examples of the application and impact of research evidence.•Next steps include revising and implementing the survey across Europe.
ISSN:	0033-3506 1476-5616