How to make effective health recommendations-implications for coronial practice: a narrative review

Area of Science:

• Public Health Policy
• Health Services Research
• Health Systems Strengthening

Background:

• Numerous organizations in Aotearoa New Zealand issue health recommendations.
• A significant challenge exists in achieving widespread adoption and impact of these recommendations.
• There is a recognized need for improved guidance on crafting effective recommendations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify characteristics of health recommendations associated with successful implementation.
• To provide evidence-based guidance for making impactful recommendations.
• To address the gap in understanding why recommendations often fail to gain traction.

Main Methods:

• A narrative literature review was conducted.
• The review focused on recommendations from independent reviews (e.g., coronial inquiries, mortality review committees, royal commissions).
• Evidence was sought on factors influencing the implementation of these recommendations.

Main Results:

• Key factors associated with successful recommendation implementation were identified.
• Similarities in implementable recommendations were observed across diverse settings.
• Factors related to recommendation content, delivery, timing, and stakeholder relationships were highlighted.

Conclusions:

• The quality and effectiveness of recommendations have significant health and public policy implications.
• Failure to implement high-return health interventions incurs substantial societal opportunity costs.
• The findings are relevant to various settings aiming to improve health outcomes through recommendations.