Use of Research Evidence Clinical Trial
Official title:
Effects of an Evidence Service on Health System Policymakers' Use of Research Evidence
The investigators have developed an online database called 'Health Systems Evidence,' which contains synthesized research evidence and additional details about this evidence that can make it easier for health system policymakers to use the included research evidence. The investigators have also developed an e-mail alerting service that brings to the attention of health system policymakers any new additions to Health Systems Evidence. This study will evaluate whether a "full-serve" version of Health Systems Evidence increases the use of research evidence by policy analysts and advisors in the Ontario government as compared to a "self-serve" version. The "full-serve" version comprises: 1) access to Health Systems Evidence; 2) monthly e-mail alerts about new additions to Health Systems Evidence; and 3) access to full-text articles that are cited in Health Systems Evidence. The "self-serve" version only provides access to Health Systems Evidence. The investigators will also interview study participants to obtain feedback about Health Systems Evidence, including how helpful it was in their work, why it was helpful (or not helpful), what aspects were most and least helpful and why, and recommendations for improving it.
Background Health system policymakers need timely access to synthesized research evidence to
inform the policymaking process. No efforts to address this need have been evaluated using
an experimental quantitative design. The investigators developed an evidence service that
draws inputs from Health Systems Evidence, which is a database of policy relevant systematic
reviews. The reviews have been: 1) categorized by topic and type of review; 2) coded by the
last year searches for studies were conducted and by the countries in which included studies
were conducted; 3) rated for quality; and 4) linked to available user-friendly summaries,
scientific abstracts, and full-text reports. The goal is to evaluate whether a "full-serve"
evidence service increases the use of synthesized research evidence by policy analysts and
advisors in the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) as compared to a
"self-serve" evidence service.
Methods/design: The investigators will conduct a two-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT),
along with a follow-up qualitative process study in order to explore the findings in greater
depth. For the RCT, all policy analysts and policy advisors (n=168) in a single division of
the MOHLTC will be invited to participate. Using a stratified randomized design,
participants will be randomized to receive either the "full-serve" evidence service
(database access, monthly e-mail alerts, and full-text article availability) or the
"self-serve" evidence service (database access only). The trial duration will be ten months
(two-month baseline period, six-month intervention period, and two month cross-over period).
The primary outcome will be the mean number of site visits/month/user between baseline and
the end of the intervention period. The secondary outcome will be participants' intention to
use research evidence. For the qualitative study, 15 participants from each trial arm (n=30)
will be purposively sampled. One-on-one semi-structured interviews will be conducted by
telephone on their views about and their experiences with the evidence service they
received, how helpful it was in their work, why it was helpful (or not helpful), what
aspects were most and least helpful and why, and recommendations for next steps.
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| Status | Clinical Trial | Phase | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active, not recruiting |
NCT01257724 -
Effects of an Evidence Service on Community-based AIDS Service Organizations' Use of Research Evidence
|
N/A |