Top tips to help researchers see their evidence become policy

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Event wrap: 26 November 2015.

At a recent Sax Institute event, both policy makers and researchers gave their insights into the strategies that could help smooth the way for research evidence to be translated into health policy and practice. Below are some of the top tips gleaned from their presentations:

 

  • Policy makers work in a politically-charged environment and their priorities change unexpectedly and often. Collaboration requires strong trusting partnerships with a common agenda ‒ Professor Fran Baum, Flinders University.
  • If, as a researcher, we are not thinking about the ultimate audience and how the research may inform practice or policy, we are missing a key opportunity ‒ Professor David Currrow, Cancer Institute NSW
  • As researchers, we need to know: what problem are we solving? Professor David Currrow, Cancer Institute NSW
  • We need to thinks of funders [of research] as partners ‒ Professor David Currrow, Cancer Institute NSW.
  • Researchers have to form a partnership with consumers and understand the value of consumer engagement ‒ Mr John Stubbs, CEO, CanSpeak.
  • It is important for research projects to have preparedness to stop research and transition to routine care. We need to make sure we don’t gold-plate the nature of interventions and that we don’t have “Rolls Royce” interventions that we will never be able to afford ‒ Dr Kerry Chant, Chief Health Officer, NSW Health.
  • Be aware of the funding cycle: if you want anything happening in 2016-17, come and talk to us now ‒ Dr Kerry Chant, Chief Health Officer, NSW Health.
  • Give policy makers a heads-p about research coming out in the media that might impact on programs – they are  more likely to be defensive in a “gotcha” moment.
  • Policy makers are concerned that research might transgress sensitive areas ‒ Ms Carmel Williams, SA Health.
  • Policy makers are concerned that academic publishing might take a long time and this will conflict with the need for information being given quickly to inform government ‒ Ms Carmel Williams, SA Health.
  • Be aware a 25-page report will become a three page policy which will be communicated as a three-point dot point brief to the Minister ‒ Ms Carmel Williams, SA Health.

 

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