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Health Research Policy and Systems
Published in: Health Research Policy and Systems 1/2009

Open Access 01-12-2009 | Guide

SUPPORT Tools for evidence-informed health Policymaking (STP) 1: What is evidence-informed policymaking?

Authors: Andrew D Oxman, John N Lavis, Simon Lewin, Atle Fretheim

Published in: Health Research Policy and Systems | Special Issue 1/2009

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Abstract

This article is part of a series written for people responsible for making decisions about health policies and programmes and for those who support these decision makers.
In this article, we discuss the following three questions: What is evidence? What is the role of research evidence in informing health policy decisions? What is evidence-informed policymaking?
Evidence-informed health policymaking is an approach to policy decisions that aims to ensure that decision making is well-informed by the best available research evidence. It is characterised by the systematic and transparent access to, and appraisal of, evidence as an input into the policymaking process. The overall process of policymaking is not assumed to be systematic and transparent. However, within the overall process of policymaking, systematic processes are used to ensure that relevant research is identified, appraised and used appropriately. These processes are transparent in order to ensure that others can examine what research evidence was used to inform policy decisions, as well as the judgements made about the evidence and its implications. Evidence-informed policymaking helps policymakers gain an understanding of these processes.
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Metadata
Title
SUPPORT Tools for evidence-informed health Policymaking (STP) 1: What is evidence-informed policymaking?
Authors
Andrew D Oxman
John N Lavis
Simon Lewin
Atle Fretheim
Publication date
01-12-2009
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Health Research Policy and Systems / Issue Special Issue 1/2009
Electronic ISSN: 1478-4505
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1478-4505-7-S1-S1

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SUPPORT Tools for evidence-informed health Policymaking (STP) 7: Finding systematic reviews

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