Promoting evidence-based practice in population health at the local level: a case study in workforce capacity development.
This paper describes a service-based initiative to enhance capacity for evidence-based practice (EBP) in the South Western Sydney Area Health Service Division of Population Health. A working group planned an organisational response to a customised EBP needs assessment using the New South Wales Department of Health's framework for capacity building focussing on five key action areas; organisational development, workforce development, resource allocation, leadership and partnerships. Innovative strategies to promote EBP were developed and implemented and on-site training programs that targeted specific groups of staff were conducted. Because there was commitment and leadership from senior staff for the initiative, a comprehensive approach to building capacity for EBP in population health was possible. Evidence of impact needs to be collected in the future.
Maxwell
Michelle L
ML
Population Health, Sydney South West Area Health Service, Eastern Campus Liverpool Hospital, and School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Michelle.Maxwell@sswahs.nsw.gov.au
Adily
Armita
A
Ward
Jeanette E
JE
D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006280:Health Workforce; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009517:New South Wales; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D040841:Resource Allocation; D013192:Staff Development; D019037:Urban Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*