A collaborative approach to bridging the research-policy gap through the development of policy advice software

Abstract

We have developed a software-based tool to support a dynamic micro-simulation model of life-course development (to age 13) as an aid to policy makers assessing the impact of policies affecting children. We demonstrate how this approach bridges the research-policy gap by creating: (1) an easy transfer of evidence in a form that policymakers can use (for example, ‘What is the policy influence of X on Y?’); and (2) a ‘pull’ system of knowledge transfer by which policy makers control the knowledge they access. The advantage of close collaboration with policy makers in the development and implementation phases is also discussed.

Determinants and disparities: A simulation approach to the case of child health care

“…We undertook statistical analyses to give us results fit for the purpose of dynamic micro-simulation (Milne et al, 2014) accounting for effects of time-variant (e.g. number of children in the household) and time-invariant (e.g.…”

“…Complex policy issues require methods that enable research synthesis and utilise systems thinking (Lobb and Colditz, 2013;Milne et al, 2014). Micro-simulation modelling has been used to represent systems and processes in health care and to test their functioning for policy purposes (Glied and Tilipman, 2010;Ringel et al, 2010;Rutter et al, 2011;Zucchelli and Rice, 2012).…”

“…The overall aim of this paper is to apply a computer-based model in a New Zealand setting designed to (1) represent health service use (and other comparative outcomes) in early childhood, and (2) enable experimentation on the impact of changing social determinants (Milne et al, 2014). Note that, in New Zealand, primary care is provided by private family physicians who receive a government subsidy per patient as well as patient co-payments.…”

An integrated model for increasing the use of evidence by decision-makers for improved development

“…This focus on the demand side of evidence use seems justified given the relative lack of research in evidence-based policy-making explicitly focusing on decision-makers (Newman et al, 2013), as well as the well-established limitations of pushing evidence by research professionals into policy and practice contexts (Lavis et al, 2003;Nutley et al, 2007;Milne et al, 2014). There is increased decision-maker interest in understanding what works to make policy and practice processes more receptive to the use of evidence.…”

Stakeholder Engagement in Policy Development: Observations and Lessons from International Experience

“…One main factor is the lack of uptake in the "translation gap"-characterized as the mismatch between the knowledge that research produces and the knowledge that policy makers want . Milne et al (2014) identify two solutions to bridge the gap-knowledge brokers (Frost et al 2012;Knight and Lightowler 2010;Lomas 2007) and research-policy partnerships (Best and Holmes 2010;Van Egmond et al 2011). Knowledge brokers act as translators, turning the research evidence into information that is easily understood and usable by policy makers.…”