Grant: Evidence on Tap - Expedited Knowledge Synthesis

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health Policy and Planning Branch (¿Saskatchewan Health¿) has a mandate to support a significant transformation of the provincial health system. The Ministry recognizes that success hinges on a culture change based on collaboration, a comprehensive innovation strategy for system redesign, and systems integration. Therefore, they seek guidance -- on such considerations as successful models and strategies, partnership principles (including with patients), monitoring and evaluation -- from a systematic review of knowledge on large system transformation. With all of these considerations, there is an emphasis on the role of government. To that end, the purpose of this project is to conduct a systematic realist review and synthesis. Realist review is the method of choice when looking at what is known about change in large, complex and dynamic health systems. In health services and other public services, we are dealing with complex social interventions that act on complex social systems. Traditional ways of summarizing controlled research evidence need to adapt to these realities. The basic question is ¿what is it about this intervention that works in this context?¿ This Expedited Knowledge Synthesis is part of a Canadian Institutes of Health Research two-year pilot program designed to provide high quality, relevant, and timely reviews for decision makers. Over the six-month project, the research team will work closely with the Ministry, a reference group of local stakeholders who need to be involved in seeking solutions, and an expert panel who can advise on the knowledge synthesis. An end-of-grant workshop will review and make sense of the findings in context, and make recommendations for how the work can be best put to use.