Proposal of a holistic model to support local-level evidence-based practice

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Public Health Policy
• Evidence-Based Practice

Background:

• The evidence-based practice movement primarily supports external research, neglecting local evidence and internal research capabilities.
• This imbalance has alienated internal decision-makers, hindering the use of local evidence in policy formation.
• Centralized policy-making often relies on questionable claims, with evidence sought post-implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a practical, holistic model for supporting local evidence-based decision-making.
• To address the gap in supporting internal research and local evidence within the broader evidence-based practice framework.
• To promote the integration of local knowledge with external evidence in primary health care.

Main Methods:

• Development of a practical, holistic model for local evidence-based decision-making.
• Emphasis on integrating internal research capabilities and local evidence with external research findings.
• Exploration of networking opportunities with international regional programs to share best practices.

Main Results:

• A proposed model designed to enhance the use of local evidence in decision-making processes.
• Increased relevance of decision-making through the incorporation of "local knowledge" alongside external evidence.
• Potential for establishing global networks to share information and identify effective practices.

Conclusions:

• A practical model is presented to support local evidence-based decision-making, balancing internal and external evidence.
• Integrating local knowledge is crucial for effective primary health care and policy development.
• Networking with global initiatives can foster the adoption of best practices in local health and social policy.