What can we learn from interventions that aim to increase policy-makers’ capacity to use research? A realist scoping review

Abstract

BackgroundHealth policy-making can benefit from more effective use of research. In many policy settings there is scope to increase capacity for using research individually and organisationally, but little is known about what strategies work best in which circumstances. This review addresses the question: What causal mechanisms can best explain the observed outcomes of interventions that aim to increase policy-makers’ capacity to use research in their work?MethodsArticles were identified from three available reviews and two databases (PAIS and WoS; 1999–2016). Using a realist approach, articles were reviewed for information about contexts, outcomes (including process effects) and possible causal mechanisms. Strategy + Context + Mechanism = Outcomes (SCMO) configurations were developed, drawing on theory and findings from other studies to develop tentative hypotheses that might be applicable across a range of intervention sites.ResultsWe found 22 studies that spanned 18 countries. There were two dominant design strategies (needs-based tailoring and multi-component design) and 18 intervention strategies targeting four domains of capacity, namely access to research, skills improvement, systems improvement and interaction. Many potential mechanisms were identified as well as some enduring contextual characteristics that all interventions should consider. The evidence was variable, but the SCMO analysis suggested that tailored interactive workshops supported by goal-focused mentoring, and genuine collaboration, seem particularly promising. Systems supports and platforms for cross-sector collaboration are likely to play crucial roles. Gaps in the literature are discussed.ConclusionThis exploratory review tentatively posits causal mechanisms that might explain how intervention strategies work in different contexts to build capacity for using research in policy-making.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12961-018-0277-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Is patient-centred care for women a priority for policy-makers? Content analysis of government policies

“…First, we and others [1][2][3] have demonstrated a need to promote the development of evidence-informed policies. Synthesised research showed that interactive workshops or collaboration with researchers can improve the use of research by policy-makers [4]. However, analysis of 131 policies and interviews with policy-makers that developed them found that access to and relationships with researchers increased the interaction between policymakers and researchers but did not lead to the use of research in policy-making [64].…”

“…Common barriers to the use of evidence cited by policy-makers include a lack of evidence relevant to health policy, cost considerations and an absence of shared understanding about priorities between policy-makers and researchers [3]. A scoping review of 22 studies from 18 countries published from 1999 to 2016 found that tailored interactive workshops supported by goal-focused mentoring and that collaboration with researchers can increase policy-makers' use of research [4].…”

What is the evidence on the best way to get evidence into use in education?

“…However, training may not be enough. Their capacity to use evidence might be improved through tailored workshops and extensive mentoring (Haynes et al , 2018). Policy‐makers also require research skills and this needs to be part of their job descriptions (Peirson et al , 2012).…”

Impact of capacity building interventions on individual and organizational competency for HPSR in endemic disease control in Nigeria: a qualitative study

“…The fact that participants felt that the workshops improved their competencies and skills in research priority setting, evidence generation, and communication not just for the control of endemic diseases but for the holistic evidence-based improvements of the health system shows the potential for increasing evidence-informed decision making with appropriate interventions as shown in previous studies [22][23][24][25]. This is a very timely project in Nigeria and some other African countries, where it has been found that the capacity for research and knowledge translation activities, although growing, still remains largely uncoordinated and remains as small-scale activities, and primarily driven from outside Africa [26].…”