A purple patch for evidence-based health policy?

Abstract

The global focus on nation states’ responses to the COVID-19 pandemic has rightly highlighted the importance of science and evidence as the basis for policy action. Those with a lifelong passion for evidence-based policy (EBP) have lauded Australia’s and other nations’ policy responses to COVID-19 as a breakthrough moment for the cause. This article reflects on the complexity of the public policy process, the perspectives of its various actors, and draws on Alford’s work on the Blue, Red and Purple zones to propose a more nuanced approach to advocacy for EBP in health. We contend that the pathway for translation of research evidence into routine clinical practice is relatively linear, in contrast to the more complex course for translation of evidence to public policy – much to the frustration of health researchers and EBP advocates. Cairney’s description of the characteristics of successful policy entrepreneurs offers useful guidance to advance EBP and we conclude with proposing some practical mechanisms to support it. Finally, we recommend that researchers and policy makers spend more time in the Purple zone to enable a deeper understanding of, and mutual respect for, the unique contributions made by research, policy and political actors to sound public policy.

Challenges to evidence-informed decision-making in the context of pandemics: qualitative study of COVID-19 policy advisor perspectives

“…Education of scientists and policy-makers about each other’s needs, perspectives and constraints to EIDM,24 including the characteristics of successful actors in the policy-making process, may thus be a more realistic and fruitful approach to promoting prioritisation of scientific evidence among the multiple inputs considered by decision-makers. Although the current study focuses on the experiences and perspectives of advisors informing the EIDM process, we recognise that a lack of understanding may exist on behalf of policy-makers regarding the research and evidence generation process 25. All actors involved in EIDM must be considered in order to have a fuller understanding of the constraints facing pandemic EIDM and opportunities for capacity-building and mutual learning.…”

Impact of alcohol policy changes on substance‐affected patients attending an emergency department in the Northern Territory with police

“…2 However, embedding good policy long term will remain problematic unless there is a bipartisan approach. 2,3,25…”

“…There is a clear shift towards the need for policies to be evaluated and evidence based, as outlined in the current government's Alcohol Harm Minimisation Action Plan and recommended in the Riley Review 2 . However, embedding good policy long term will remain problematic unless there is a bipartisan approach 2,3,25 …”

Housing and Support for People with Disability: Perspectives of Motor Accident, Disability and Injury Insurers across Australia and New Zealand

“…Multiple factors drive and influence policy formation, and these factors include the availability of policy-relevant evidence [ 34 , 35 , 36 ]. Policy-relevant evidence is not limited to high quality scientific studies.…”