title: Translating evidence from systematic reviews for policy makers.
abstract: Gerontological nurses who have received education and have experience in conducting systematic reviews may assume a key role in interpreting systematic reviews for policy makers. Systematic reviews offer evidence to determine the best policy and program solutions to a problem. To be successful in translating evidence from systematic reviews, gerontological nurses need to (a) understand the steps of the policy making process and where different kinds of reviews may be used, (b) assess the "technical" literacy and level of interest in gerontological issues of the intended policy maker, and (c) develop and practice skills in policy writing that distill information in policy briefs as well as shorter formats. Gerontological nurses can be powerful advocates for older adults using the systematic review of the literature as an instrument to educate policy makers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nannini
authors.forename: Susan Crocker
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Houde
mesh_terms: D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000458:organization & administration; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D011050:Policy Making; D011361:Professional Competence; D012196:Review Literature as Topic; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States; D014956:Writing