Health Systems Evidence update service launched

May 1, 2010 – A new e-newsletter service that provides monthly updates about policy briefs, systematic reviews and overviews of reviews relevant to specific health system topics being addressed by the McMaster Health Forum has been launched.

The first Health Systems Evidence Service update, specific to strengthening primary health care, was distributed in April. Three additional updates, focusing on strengthening chronic disease management, optimizing diabetes care, and enhancing the management of chronic pain, will be delivered this month.

The e-newsletters include a list of newly identified syntheses about governance, financial and delivery arrangements within health systems, and about implementation strategies that can support change in health systems, pertaining to a specific topic. Each of the topics has been the focus of at least one Stakeholder Dialogue organized by the McMaster Health Forum, which includes the development of a comprehensive evidence brief or issue brief that mobilizes relevant research evidence and provides the basis for discussions at the dialogue. A summary of each dialogue highlights the main challenges identified, and next steps towards creative, potential solutions.

The monthly updates include a listing of the relevant syntheses, with the title, the type of synthesis and the health system topics addressed, plus links to a more extensive summary of each review.

Policymakers, stakeholders, students and scholars can subscribe to receive any of the updates.

Plans are also being developed to offer a general Health Systems Evidence Service monthly update, which will include all new syntheses added to Health Systems Evidence each month.

The Health Systems Evidence Service is provided by the McMaster Health Forum, and draws on Health Systems Evidence, a collaboration between the Forum and three partners: McMaster University’s Program in Policy Decision-making, the Canadian Cochrane Centre and Rx for Change.

For more details on the Health Systems Evidence Service or to subscribe, click here.