scholarly journals Participation in the National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools’ Knowledge Broker Mentoring Program: a public health inspector perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-16
Author(s):  
Andrea Powers ◽  
T. Pelletier ◽  
R. Ray ◽  
A. Reynolds ◽  
C. Howarth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Informed Decision ◽  
Knowledge Broker ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Practice Research ◽  
Mentoring Program ◽  
Informed Decision Making ◽  
Successful Completion ◽  
Time Commitment

Although evidence-informed decision making is an important part of the field of public health inspection, finding the time to stay informed of current research can be a challenge amidst day-to-day job expectations. This article will explore how two Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) from Ottawa Public Health, a municipal public health unit in Ontario, incorporated evidence-informed decision making (EIDM) into their work. They built their EIDM skills through participating in the 18-month Knowledge Broker (KB) Mentoring Program offered by the National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools. The program required a substantial time commitment, including nine in-person workshop days and dedicated hours to practice research appraisal skills and to complete a rapid review. The inspectors were approved and supported to spend the necessary time; however, they still found it difficult to designate hours for learning while balancing their frontline inspection workload. This article will share observations about the PHI’s involvement, including benefits and challenges as well as factors that facilitated their successful completion of the KB Mentoring Program.

scholarly journals The Knowledge Broker Mentoring Program: Developing capacity for evidence-informed decision making

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Howarth ◽  
M Steinberg ◽  
S Neil-Sztramko ◽  
M Dobbins
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Program Planning ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Informed Decision ◽  
Knowledge Broker ◽  
Organizational Level ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Mentoring Program ◽  
Informed Decision Making

Abstract Background Evidence-informed decision making (EIDM) is important to ensure that practice is evidence-informed and resources are used efficiently and effectively. However, public health professionals can face barriers to EIDM. Knowledge Brokers can support and champion EIDM within an organization. The National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools (NCCMT) developed a Knowledge Broker (KB) Mentoring program, a hands-on mentorship program to develop capacity for evidence-informed decision making. Objectives The objectives of the KB Mentoring program are to build individual and organizational capacity for evidence-informed decision making. The program takes place over 20 months and includes an organizational assessment, nine face-to-face workshop days, monthly webinars, completion of a rapid review, and a period post-program to connect with mentors. Participating cohorts are evaluated qualitatively. Results To date, two cohorts of five organizations each have completed the program (n = 56 participants). At the individual level, participants reported increased: confidence; EIDM knowledge and skills; and interpersonal connections. At the organizational level, the groups reported conducting rapid reviews, critically appraising evidence, and using evidence in program planning decisions. Additionally, organizations have put in place ongoing supports to build EIDM capacity. Participants noted that they would like more support both before and after the program. This recommendation was put in place for the third cohort, currently in progress. Conclusions Participants indicated the KB mentoring program was high quality and increased EIDM capacity and behaviour in their organizations. This innovative program is important across settings and countries as public health continues to face changes to public health practice. In order to scale up the program to diverse geographic settings, an online KB mentoring program is currently in development. Key messages Knowledge Broker mentoring supports public health practitioners to use evidence in practice. Knowledge broker mentoring raises the confidence, knowledge, skills, and connections of participants.

scholarly journals The National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools: Supporting evidence-informed decision making

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Howarth ◽  
S Neil-Sztramko ◽  
M Dobbins
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Informed Decision ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Informed Decision Making ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Public Health Professionals ◽  
The World

Abstract Background Public health continuously evolves to address an uncertain future, and public health professionals must effectively and efficiently adapt to changes. Evidence-informed decision making (EIDM) is one way to adapt to change. The National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools (NCCMT) provides high quality resources, training and mentorship to support the EIDM process through both in-person and distance-based formats. Freely accessible resources including online training opportunities can help public health professionals globally put evidence into practice and be ready to respond to change. Objectives The NCCMT's work is driven by the belief that everyone deserves optimal health and well-being and this can be achieved by using the best available evidence in practice. Our training and education resources include thirteen online learning modules, an EIDM skills assessment, video series, a rapid review guidebook and regular webinars, amongst others. These resources are self-paced and they can be accessed when and where it is most convenient for public health professionals. Results The NCCMT's resources are highly accessed, with over 320, 000 visits to the NCCMT website from around the world from April 2018-March 2019. There were also over 42,000 downloads of knowledge products in the same time period. The NCCMT's resources have been integrated into public health organizations and curriculum in public health postsecondary programs in Canada. We are continuously evolving by engaging our users. We will be launching an updated version of our Learning Centre in April 2020. Conclusions The NCCMT houses useful resources for all public health professionals to learn about finding, understanding, and using evidence. Public health professionals from around the world have used the NCCMT's educational resources to put evidence into practice. The NCCMT is committed to working with global organizations to support them to achieve their EIDM goals. Key messages The NCCMT supports public health professionals to use the best available evidence in practice. The NCCMT offers high quality resources, training and mentorship to public health professionals.

scholarly journals Generic Cost-Effectiveness Models: A Proof of Concept of a Tool for Informed Decision-Making for Public Health Precision Medicine

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 217-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan R. Snyder ◽  
Jing Hao ◽  
Larisa H. Cavallari ◽  
Zhi Geng ◽  
Amanda Elsey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Precision Medicine ◽  
Informed Decision ◽  
Informed Decision Making ◽  
Proof Of Concept

Chemical mixtures from a public health perspective: the importance of research for informed decision making

Toxicology ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 105 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 429-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ken Sexton ◽  
Barbara D. Beck ◽  
Eula Bingham ◽  
Joseph D. Brain ◽  
David M. DeMarini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Informed Decision ◽  
Informed Decision Making ◽  
Chemical Mixtures ◽  
Public Health Perspective

scholarly journals Cochrane update: building capacity in evidence-informed decision-making to improve public health

2013 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 624-627 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tahna L. Pettman ◽  
Rebecca Armstrong ◽  
Kirsty Jones ◽  
Elizabeth Waters ◽  
Jodie Doyle
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Informed Decision ◽  
Informed Decision Making ◽  
Building Capacity

Essential skills for using research evidence in public health policy: a systematic review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saliha Ziam ◽  
Pierre Gignac ◽  
Élodie Courant ◽  
Esther Mc Sween-Cadieux
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Research Evidence ◽  
Informed Decision ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Informed Decision Making ◽  
Evidence Use ◽  
Public Health Decision ◽  
Health Decision

Background: Decisions related to the development and implementation of public health programmes or policies can benefit from more effective use of the best available knowledge. However, decision makers do not always feel sufficiently equipped or may lack the capacity to use evidence. This can lead them to overlook or set aside research results that could be relevant to their practice area.Aims and objectives: The objective of this systematic review was to synthesise the essential skills that facilitate the use of research evidence by public health decision makers.Methods: Thirty-nine articles that met our inclusion criteria were included. An inductive approach was used to extract data on evidence-informed decision-making-related skills and data were synthesised as a narrative review.Findings: The analysis revealed three categories of skills that are essential for evidence-informed decision-making process: interpersonal, cognitive, and leadership and influencing skills. Such cross-sectoral skills are essential for identifying, obtaining, synthesising, and integrating sound research results into the decision-making process.Discussion and conclusions: The results of this systematic review will help direct capacity-building efforts towards enhancing research evidence use by public health decision makers, such as developing different types of training that would be relevant to their needs. Also, when considering the evidence-informed decision-making skills development, there are several useful and complementary approaches to link research most effectively to action. On one hand, it is important not only to support decision makers at the individual level through skills development, but also to provide them with a day-to-day environment that is conducive to evidence use.<br />Key messages<br /><ul><li>Public health programmes or policies can benefit from more effective use of the best available knowledge;</li><br /><li>This review identified 39 studies on skills related to evidence-informed decision making;</li><br /><li>Three categories of skills are proposed: cognitive, interpersonal and leadership and influencing skills;</li><br /><li>It will help direct capacity-building efforts towards enhancing evidence use by decision makers.</li></ul>

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