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Millard T, Elliott JH, Green S, McGloughlin S, Turner T. Exploring the use and impact of the Australian living guidelines for the clinical care of people with COVID-19: where to from here? J Clin Epidemiol 2024; 166:111234. [PMID: 38072175 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2023.111234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The Australian National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce has been developing, maintaining, and disseminating living guidelines and decision support tools (clinical flowcharts) for the care of people with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 since 2020. Living guidelines, a form of living evidence, are a relatively new approach; hence, more work is required to determine how to optimize their use to inform practice, policy, and decision-making and to explore implementation, uptake, and impact implications. An update of an earlier impact evaluation was conducted to understand sustained awareness and use of the guidelines; the factors that facilitate the widespread adoption of the guidelines and to explore the perceived strengths and opportunities for improvement of the guidelines. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING A mixed-methods impact evaluation was conducted. Surveys collected both quantitative and qualitative data and were supplemented with qualitative interviews. Participants included Australian healthcare practitioners providing care to individuals with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and people involved in policy-making. Data were collected on awareness, use, impact, strengths, and opportunities for improvement of the guidelines and flow charts. RESULTS A total of 148 participants completed the survey and 21 people were interviewed between January and March 2022. Awareness of the work of the Taskforce was high and more than 75% of participants reported that the guidelines were used within their workplace. Participants described the Taskforce website and guidelines as trustworthy, valuable, and reliable sources of up-to-date evidence-based information. The evaluation highlighted the varied ways the guidelines were being used across a range of settings and the diverse impacts they have from those at a clinical level to impacts at a policy level. Barriers to and enablers of impact and uptake of the guideline were explored. CONCLUSION This evaluation highlights the value of living guidelines during a pandemic when the evidence base is rapidly changing and expanding. It presents useful understanding of the ways clinicians and others use living evidence to inform their clinical practice and decision-making and the diverse impacts the guidelines are having around Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya Millard
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Julian H Elliott
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sally Green
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Steve McGloughlin
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Tari Turner
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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El-Warrak L, Nunes M, Luna G, Barbosa CE, Lyra A, Argôlo M, Lima Y, Salazar H, de Souza JM. Towards the Future of Public Health: Roadmapping Trends and Scenarios in the Post-COVID Healthcare Era. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:3118. [PMID: 38132008 PMCID: PMC10743190 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11243118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, a transformative event in modern society, has disrupted routine, work, behavior, and human relationships. Organizations, amidst the chaos, have innovatively adapted to the evolving situation. However, many countries were unprepared for the magnitude of the challenge, revealing the fragility of health responses due to inadequate leadership, insufficient resources, and poor information system integration. Structural changes in health systems are imperative, particularly in leadership, governance, human resources, financing, information systems, technology, and health service provision. This research utilizes the Technological Roadmapping method to analyze the health sector, focusing on public health, drawing on articles from SCOPUS and PubMed databases, and creating a roadmap extending to 2050. The research presents three long-term scenarios based on the literature-derived roadmap and explores various alternatives, including integrated care, telemedicine, Big Data utilization, nanotechnology, and Big Tech's AI services. The results underscore the anticipation of post-pandemic public health with high expectations, emphasizing the importance of integrating health history access, encouraging self-care, and leveraging technology for streamlined treatment. Practical implications include insights for decision makers and stakeholders to inform strategic planning and adapt to evolving industry demands, recognizing the significance of preventive services and the humanizing potential of technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo El-Warrak
- Graduate School of Engineering (COPPE), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Avenida Horácio Macedo 2030, Centro de Tecnologia, Bloco H, Rio de Janeiro 21941-972, Brazil; (L.E.-W.); (G.L.); (Y.L.); (H.S.)
| | - Mariano Nunes
- Graduate School of Engineering (COPPE), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Avenida Horácio Macedo 2030, Centro de Tecnologia, Bloco H, Rio de Janeiro 21941-972, Brazil; (L.E.-W.); (G.L.); (Y.L.); (H.S.)
| | - Gabriel Luna
- Graduate School of Engineering (COPPE), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Avenida Horácio Macedo 2030, Centro de Tecnologia, Bloco H, Rio de Janeiro 21941-972, Brazil; (L.E.-W.); (G.L.); (Y.L.); (H.S.)
| | - Carlos Eduardo Barbosa
- Graduate School of Engineering (COPPE), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Avenida Horácio Macedo 2030, Centro de Tecnologia, Bloco H, Rio de Janeiro 21941-972, Brazil; (L.E.-W.); (G.L.); (Y.L.); (H.S.)
- Centro de Análises de Sistemas Navais, Rio de Janeiro 20091-000, Brazil
| | - Alan Lyra
- Graduate School of Engineering (COPPE), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Avenida Horácio Macedo 2030, Centro de Tecnologia, Bloco H, Rio de Janeiro 21941-972, Brazil; (L.E.-W.); (G.L.); (Y.L.); (H.S.)
| | - Matheus Argôlo
- Graduate School of Engineering (COPPE), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Avenida Horácio Macedo 2030, Centro de Tecnologia, Bloco H, Rio de Janeiro 21941-972, Brazil; (L.E.-W.); (G.L.); (Y.L.); (H.S.)
| | - Yuri Lima
- Graduate School of Engineering (COPPE), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Avenida Horácio Macedo 2030, Centro de Tecnologia, Bloco H, Rio de Janeiro 21941-972, Brazil; (L.E.-W.); (G.L.); (Y.L.); (H.S.)
| | - Herbert Salazar
- Graduate School of Engineering (COPPE), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Avenida Horácio Macedo 2030, Centro de Tecnologia, Bloco H, Rio de Janeiro 21941-972, Brazil; (L.E.-W.); (G.L.); (Y.L.); (H.S.)
| | - Jano Moreira de Souza
- Graduate School of Engineering (COPPE), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Avenida Horácio Macedo 2030, Centro de Tecnologia, Bloco H, Rio de Janeiro 21941-972, Brazil; (L.E.-W.); (G.L.); (Y.L.); (H.S.)
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Robson RC, Thomas SM, Langlois ÉV, Mijumbi R, Kawooya I, Antony J, Courvoisier M, Amog K, Marten R, Chikovani I, Nambiar D, Ved RR, Bhaumik S, Balqis-Ali NZ, Sararaks S, Md. Sharif S, Kangwende RA, Munatsi R, Straus SE, Tricco AC. Embedding rapid reviews in health policy and systems decision-making: Impacts and lessons learned from four low- and middle-income countries. Health Res Policy Syst 2023; 21:45. [PMID: 37280697 PMCID: PMC10243686 DOI: 10.1186/s12961-023-00992-w] [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: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Demand for rapid evidence-based syntheses to inform health policy and systems decision-making has increased worldwide, including in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). To promote use of rapid syntheses in LMICs, the WHO's Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research (AHPSR) created the Embedding Rapid Reviews in Health Systems Decision-Making (ERA) Initiative. Following a call for proposals, four LMICs were selected (Georgia, India, Malaysia and Zimbabwe) and supported for 1 year to embed rapid response platforms within a public institution with a health policy or systems decision-making mandate. METHODS While the selected platforms had experience in health policy and systems research and evidence syntheses, platforms were less confident conducting rapid evidence syntheses. A technical assistance centre (TAC) was created from the outset to develop and lead a capacity-strengthening program for rapid syntheses, tailored to the platforms based on their original proposals and needs as assessed in a baseline questionnaire. The program included training in rapid synthesis methods, as well as generating synthesis demand, engaging knowledge users and ensuring knowledge uptake. Modalities included live training webinars, in-country workshops and support through phone, email and an online platform. LMICs provided regular updates on policy-makers' requests and the rapid products provided, as well as barriers, facilitators and impacts. Post-initiative, platforms were surveyed. RESULTS Platforms provided rapid syntheses across a range of AHPSR themes, and successfully engaged national- and state-level policy-makers. Examples of substantial policy impact were observed, including for COVID-19. Although the post-initiative survey response rate was low, three quarters of those responding felt confident in their ability to conduct a rapid evidence synthesis. Lessons learned coalesced around three themes - the importance of context-specific expertise in conducting reviews, facilitating cross-platform learning, and planning for platform sustainability. CONCLUSIONS The ERA initiative successfully established rapid response platforms in four LMICs. The short timeframe limited the number of rapid products produced, but there were examples of substantial impact and growing demand. We emphasize that LMICs can and should be involved not only in identifying and articulating needs but as co-designers in their own capacity-strengthening programs. More time is required to assess whether these platforms will be sustained for the long-term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reid C. Robson
- Knowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, 209 Victoria Street, 7th Floor, East Building, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8 Canada
| | - Sonia M. Thomas
- Knowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, 209 Victoria Street, 7th Floor, East Building, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8 Canada
| | - Étienne V. Langlois
- Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH), World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
- Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, Science Division, World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Rhona Mijumbi
- The Center for Rapid Evidence Synthesis (ACRES), Regional East African Policy Initiative, Uganda Node, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Ismael Kawooya
- The Center for Rapid Evidence Synthesis (ACRES), Regional East African Policy Initiative, Uganda Node, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jesmin Antony
- Knowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, 209 Victoria Street, 7th Floor, East Building, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8 Canada
| | - Melissa Courvoisier
- Knowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, 209 Victoria Street, 7th Floor, East Building, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8 Canada
| | - Krystle Amog
- Knowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, 209 Victoria Street, 7th Floor, East Building, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8 Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Robert Marten
- Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, Science Division, World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ivdity Chikovani
- Research Department, Curatio International Foundation, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Devaki Nambiar
- The George Institute for Global Health, New Delhi, India
- Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | | | - Soumyadeep Bhaumik
- Meta-Research & Evidence Synthesis Unit, The George Institute for Global Health, New Delhi, India
| | - Nur Zahirah Balqis-Ali
- Institute for Health Systems Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health, Putrajaya, Malaysia
| | - Sondi Sararaks
- Institute for Health Systems Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health, Putrajaya, Malaysia
| | - Shakirah Md. Sharif
- Institute for Health Systems Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health, Putrajaya, Malaysia
| | | | - Ronald Munatsi
- Zimbabwe Evidence-Informed Policy Network (ZeipNET), Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Sharon E. Straus
- Knowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, 209 Victoria Street, 7th Floor, East Building, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8 Canada
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Andrea C. Tricco
- Knowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, 209 Victoria Street, 7th Floor, East Building, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8 Canada
- Epidemiology Division and Institute for Health, Management, and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
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Williamson L, McArthur E, Dolan H, Levesque JF, Sutherland K. Horizon scanning, rapid reviews and living evidence to support decision-making: lessons from the work of the Critical Intelligence Unit in New South Wales, Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e071003. [PMID: 37202144 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-071003] [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] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen an increase in rapidly disseminated scientific evidence and highlighted that traditional evidence synthesis methods, such as time and resource intensive systematic reviews, may not be successful in responding to rapidly evolving policy and practice needs. In New South Wales (NSW) Australia, the Critical Intelligence Unit (CIU) was established early in the pandemic and acted as an intermediary organisation. It brought together clinical, analytical, research, organisational and policy experts to provide timely and considered advice to decision-makers. This paper provides an overview of the functions, challenges and future implications of the CIU, particularly the Evidence Integration Team. Outputs from the Evidence Integration Team included a daily evidence digest, rapid evidence checks and living evidence tables. These products have been widely disseminated and used to inform policy decisions in NSW, making valuable impacts. Changes and innovations to evidence generation, synthesis and dissemination in response to the COVID-19 pandemic provide an opportunity to shift the way evidence is used in future. The experience and methods of the CIU have potential to be adapted and applied to the broader health system nationally and internationally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Williamson
- NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Erin McArthur
- NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Hankiz Dolan
- NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Kim Sutherland
- NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
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