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Best available research evidence is essential but not the only type of evidence needed in public health decision making. Decisions are also influenced and must take into account factors other than research evidence. This approach in public health is called evidence-informed public health (EIPH). A fundamental concept of EIPH is to take into account realities of a specific real-world environment when translating research evidence into policy and practice. Therefore approaches to co-creation of best available evidence for decision making - evidence that is informed by best available research evidence but that also incorporates other types of information to address decision makers’ needs - are necessary for knowledge translation in public health. This thesis includes published works which report findings on 1) the use of research and other types of evidence and barriers and facilitators of its use and 2) KT approaches facilitating co-creation of best available evidence in public health policy making and practice. The eight publications included in this thesis studied factors associated with evidence use and present examples of co-creating evidence. The published works on evidence use (Publications 1 and 2) were undertaken using qualitative methods, specifically, content analysis of policy documents and interviews with decision makers within physical activity policy-making. Examples of co-creating evidence to address barriers identified in Publication 2 (such as relevance of research, lack of resources, lack of applicability of research etc.) used the Delphi technique, Population Impact Measure and Coverage with Evidence Development methodologies. They were applied to inform public health policy and practice in areas which include SARS and SARS-like diseases (Publications 3 and 4), rare diseases (Publication 5), cardiovascular diseases, strokes, cancers (Publication 6) and Dupuytren’s disease (Publication 7 and 8). It is essential that approaches supporting the use of research and other types of evidence in public health continue to be developed and documented, and this thesis represents such an endeavour. Usefulness and effectiveness of different KT approaches facilitating evidence use and reduce its barriers must also be continuously evaluated as they are adopted or modified to deal with different issues in different settings. Effective interventions along with strategies facilitating their delivery and implementation can then be utilised by public health professionals and policy makers who wish to promote EIPH. |
