The use of population health and health promotion research by health regions in Canada.
This study examined the use of population health and health promotion (PH&HP) research by health regions in Canada. An 11-item survey was faxed to 137 (of 140) health regions. Eighty-three completed questionnaires were returned (60.8%). Results indicate that while research, in general, plays more than a moderate role in the majority of participating health regions, PH&HP research is not used frequently. The most frequent uses of PH&HP research include the development of health goals and objectives, the development of programs and services, and resource allocation. Health regions most frequently obtain PH&HP research from their own staff and from government departments. University-based researchers are not a commonly used source. This study provides a descriptive overview of health regions' engagement in evidence-based decision making related to PH&HP issues, and points to a number of strategies that both health regions and researchers can employ to enhance the use of PH&HP research by health regions.
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2146 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3. paluck@interchange.ubc.ca
E C
EC
Paluck
D L
DL
Williamson
C D
CD
Milligan
C J
CJ
Frankish
D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D018672:Community Health Planning; D003625:Data Collection; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006293:Health Promotion; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D009313:National Health Programs; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012109:Research Support as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires