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Scott JT, Collier KM, Pugel J, O'Neill P, Long EC, Fernandes MA, Cruz K, Gay B, Giray C, Crowley DM. SciComm Optimizer for Policy Engagement: a randomized controlled trial of the SCOPE model on state legislators' research use in public discourse. Implement Sci 2023; 18:12. [PMID: 37147643 PMCID: PMC10160730 DOI: 10.1186/s13012-023-01268-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While prior work has revealed conditions that foster policymakers' use of research evidence, few studies have rigorously investigated the effectiveness of theory-based practices. Specifically, policymakers are most apt to use research evidence when it is timely, relevant, brief, and messaged appropriately, as well as when it facilitates interactive engagement. This study sought to experimentally evaluate an enhanced research dissemination intervention, known as the SciComm Optimizer for Policy Engagement (SCOPE), implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic among US state legislators. METHODS State legislators assigned to health committees and their staff were randomized to receive the SCOPE intervention. This involved providing academic researchers with a pathway for translating and disseminating research relevant to current legislative priorities via fact sheets emailed directly to officials. The intervention occurred April 2020-March 2021. Research language was measured in state legislators' social media posts. RESULTS Legislators randomized to receive the intervention, relative to the control group, produced 24% more social media posts containing research language related to COVID-19. Secondary analyses revealed that these findings were driven by two different types of research language. Intervention officials produced 67% more COVID-related social media posts referencing technical language (e.g., statistical methods), as well as 28% more posts that referenced research-based concepts. However, they produced 31% fewer posts that referenced creating or disseminating new knowledge. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that strategic, targeted science communication efforts may have the potential to change state legislators' public discourse and use of evidence. Strategic science communication efforts are particularly needed in light of the role government officials have played in communicating about the pandemic to the general public.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Taylor Scott
- Evidence-to-Impact Collaborative, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, USA.
| | | | - Jessica Pugel
- Evidence-to-Impact Collaborative, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, USA
| | - Patrick O'Neill
- Psychology Department, Teachers College at Columbia University, New York City, USA
| | - Elizabeth C Long
- Evidence-to-Impact Collaborative, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, USA
| | - Mary A Fernandes
- Department of Psychology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA
| | - Katherine Cruz
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Brittany Gay
- Evidence-to-Impact Collaborative, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, USA
| | - Cagla Giray
- Center for Health Security, John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - D Max Crowley
- Evidence-to-Impact Collaborative, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, USA
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Greiner-Weinstein G, Bacidore V. Implementing a Human Trafficking Educational Module and Protocol in the Emergency Department. J Emerg Nurs 2023:S0099-1767(23)00006-5. [PMID: 36868924 DOI: 10.1016/j.jen.2023.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The purpose of this quality improvement initiative was to educate emergency nurses and social workers about human trafficking and implement a human trafficking screening, management, and referral protocol adapted from the National Human Trafficking Resource Center. METHODS A human trafficking educational module was developed and delivered at a suburban community hospital emergency department to 34 emergency nurses and 3 social workers through the hospital's e-learning platform, with learning outcomes evaluated via a pretest/posttest and program evaluation. The emergency department electronic health record was revised to include a human trafficking protocol. Patient assessment, management, and referral documentation were evaluated for protocol adherence. RESULTS With established content validity, 85% of nurses and 100% of social workers completed the human trafficking educational program, with posttest scores being significantly higher than pretest scores (mean difference = 7.34, P ≤ .01) along with high (88%-91%) program evaluation scores. Although no human trafficking victims were identified during the 6-month data collection period, nurses and social workers adhered to the documentation parameters in the protocol 100% of the time. DISCUSSION The care of human trafficking victims can be improved when emergency nurses and social workers can recognize red flags using a standard screening tool and protocol, thereby identifying and managing potential victims.
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Scott JT, Prendergast S, Demeusy E, McGuire K, Crowley M. Trends and Opportunities for Bridging Prevention Science and US Federal Policy. PREVENTION SCIENCE : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION RESEARCH 2022; 23:1333-1342. [PMID: 35930099 DOI: 10.1007/s11121-022-01403-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Prevention science sheds light on complex social policy problems, yet its social impact cannot reach full potential without the uptake of research evidence by policymakers. This mixed-methods study examined the US federal legislation pertaining to justice-involved youth to reveal opportunities for strengthening the use of prevention science in legislation. The results indicated that research language, particularly references to the type of study (e.g., longitudinal) or methodology (e.g., data mining), within bills predicted bill progression out of committee and enactment. Rigorous scientific methods may either lend credence to a bill during its progression in the legislative process or may be infused in language during mark-up and negotiation of bills that successfully progress in Congress. In-depth bill coding illustrated the ways that research has been used in legislation to define problems, reinforce effective practice, generate knowledge through research and evaluation, and disseminate findings. A prominent implication of these findings is that policies could be used to improve data monitoring and evaluation capacity in ways that enhance the implementation of evidence-based interventions. The comprehensive use of research in legislation increases the likelihood that policies reach their intended outcomes and benefit those they are designed to serve.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Taylor Scott
- The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Max Crowley
- The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
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Long EC, Scott JT, Craig LE, Prendergast S, Pugel J, Crowley DM. How substance use prevention research gets used in United States federal policy. Addiction 2022; 117:2235-2241. [PMID: 35293062 DOI: 10.1111/add.15874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The growing body of research evidence on substance use and substance use disorder (SU/SUD) prevention could be leveraged to strengthen the intended impact of policies that address SU/SUD. The aim of the present study was to explore how research was used in United States federal legislation that emphasized SU/SUD prevention. DESIGN Using a mixed-methods approach, we assessed whether the use of research predicted a bill's legislative progress. We randomly sampled 10 bills that represented different types of research keywords to examine how research was used in these bills, applying content analysis. SETTING United States Congress. PARTICIPANTS/CASES Federal legislation introduced between the 101st and the 114th Congresses (1989-2017; n = 1866). MEASUREMENTS The quantitative outcome measures were bills' likelihood of passing out of committee and being enacted. Qualitative outcomes included the ways research was used in legislation. FINDINGS Bills that used any research language were 2.2 times more likely to pass out of committee (OR = 2.18; 95% CI, 1.75, 2.72) and 82% more likely to be enacted (OR = 1.82; 95% CI, 1.23, 2.69) than bills not using research language. Bills using dissemination words were 57% more likely to pass out of committee (OR = 1.57; CI, 1.08, 2.28) and analysis words were 93% more likely (OR = 1.93; 95% CI, 1.51, 2.47) than bills not using dissemination or analysis words. Research was used to (i) define the problem to justify legislative action, (ii) address the problem by providing funding, and (iii) address the problem through industry regulations. However, there was a lack of research use that targets underlying risk and protective factors. CONCLUSIONS In the US Congress, substance use and substance use disorder prevention bills that use research language appear to be more likely to progress in the legislative cycle than bills that do not, suggesting that legislation using research may be viewed as more credible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth C Long
- Evidence-to-Impact Collaborative, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Jennifer Taylor Scott
- Evidence-to-Impact Collaborative, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Logan E Craig
- The Well-Being Lab, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - Sarah Prendergast
- Center on Labor, Human Services, and Population, Urban Institute, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jessica Pugel
- Evidence-to-Impact Collaborative, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Daniel Max Crowley
- Evidence-to-Impact Collaborative, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
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Vujanovic AA, Gordon MR, Coverdale JH, Nguyen PT. Applying Telemental Health Services for Adults Experiencing Trafficking. Public Health Rep 2022; 137:17S-22S. [PMID: 35775909 DOI: 10.1177/00333549221085243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anka A Vujanovic
- Trauma and Stress Studies Center, Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mollie R Gordon
- Anti-Human Trafficking Program, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - John H Coverdale
- Anti-Human Trafficking Program, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Phuong T Nguyen
- Anti-Human Trafficking Program, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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Pugel J, Long EC, Fernandes M, Cruz K, Giray C, Crowley DM, Scott T. Who is listening? Profiles of policymaker engagement with scientific communication. POLICY & INTERNET 2022; 14:186-201. [PMID: 35757292 PMCID: PMC9216211 DOI: 10.1002/poi3.273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Pugel
- Pennsylvania State University, United States of America
| | | | | | - Katherine Cruz
- Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Cagla Giray
- Pennsylvania State University, United States of America
| | - D Max Crowley
- Pennsylvania State University, United States of America
| | - Taylor Scott
- Pennsylvania State University, United States of America
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Herrenkohl TI, Mersky JP, Topitzes J. Applied and Translational Research on Trauma-Responsive Programs and Policy: Introduction to a Special Issue of the American Journal of Community Psychology. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY 2019; 64:281-285. [PMID: 31593311 DOI: 10.1002/ajcp.12402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The special issue highlights work across systems that include child welfare, education, juvenile justice and health, as well as agencies serving adults who are at-risk for high levels of childhood and adult trauma exposure. While articles appearing in the special issue are not divided equally across these systems, they cover important and overlapping concepts within each. Some articles span more than a single system or domain of research, whereas others fit primarily within single area or domain. Articles provide new insights from research on practices, programs, and policies that help to transform systems so they are increasingly more responsive to the needs of vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd I Herrenkohl
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, MI, USA
| | - Joshua P Mersky
- Helen Bader School of Social Welfare, University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - James Topitzes
- Helen Bader School of Social Welfare, University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA
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