It is now clear that public policies are a lever for improving population health and well-being. What types of evidence should be used to support the adoption of healthy public policies? Some believe that evidence should be drawn from scientific experimentation, in accordance with an Evidence-Based Medicine approach; while others, adhering to the social sciences, emphasize the importance of contextual evidence and expert opinion.
The first point of view sometimes appears limited when applied to the very complex public policy sector. There are advantages to opting for a broader vision of science, combining reviews of rigorous scientific studies, both quantitative and qualitative, with other sources of information. Grey literature and experiential and tacit knowledge can yield information of significance to decision makers. This thematic day will allow participants, be they students, researchers, decision makers or public health professionals, to evaluate the relevance of various types of evidence and to reflect on the manner in which they are addressed and used to inform policy decisions.
10 AM to 10:10 AM
Word of welcome
Pierre Bergeron, M.D., Ph.D., Scientific Director, Direction des systèmes de soins et des politiques publique, Institut national de santé publique du Québec
Conference animator: Michel O’Neill, Ph.D., Director of the doctoral program in community health and Full Professor of the sociology of health, community health and health promotion, Faculté des sciences infirmières, Université Laval
10:10 AM to 10:45 AM
What constitutes proof? An ethical perspective on evidence.
(No PowerPoint is available for this presentation.)
Daniel Weinstock, Ph.D., Director, Centre de recherche en éthique, Université de Montréal.
10:45 AM to 12 PM
Evidence, which types and why?
Objectives:
• Identifying the different types of evidence that can guide policy decisions and the assessment of their relevance.
• Clarifying the issues related to the use of evidence.
Conceptualizing and classifying evidence
Evidence Reconsidered for Health System Guidance
26 slides
Susan Law, Vice-President, Research and Evaluation, Canadian Health Services Research Foundation
Evidence and Healthy Public Policy
40 slides
Patrick Fafard, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Ottawa
LUNCH 12 PM TO 1:30 PM
1:30 PM to 3 PM
Reviewing evidence, the usefulness and limits of various approaches
Objectives:
- Comparing some of the information sources that can be used to guide decision making.
- Identifying the central theoretical concepts associated with these information sources.
Systematic knowledge reviews
Reviewing Evidence – the usefulness and limits of various approaches : Systematic Reviews
25 slides
Donna Ciliska, B.Sc.N., M.Sc.N., Ph.D., Professor, School of Nursing, McMaster University and Scientific Director, National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools
Realistic knowledge reviews
A brief introduction to Realist Synthesis
33 slides
Sanjeev Sridharan, Ph.D., Head of the Evaluation Program and Senior Research Fellow at the Research Unit in Health, Behaviour and Change, University of Edinburgh
Deliberative processes
Deliberative Processes and decision-making in zones of chaos and complexity
15 slides
François-Pierre Gauvin, M.Sc., Health Research Methodology, McMaster University
3:30 PM to 4:20 PM
Recent examples of the use of evidence within the context of policy decision making
- With reference to a specific case, evaluating the strengths and limitations of using evidence to support policy decisions.
An applied case at the provincial level: The use of cell phones while driving
Public health advisory on the effects of cell phone use while driving
7 slides
Étienne Blais, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, École de criminologie, Université de Montréal and Research Associate at the Institut national de santé publique du Québec
Cell Phone Use While Driving
22 slides
Jean-Marie DeKoninck, Ph.D. Professor, Département de mathématiques et de statistique, Université Laval and Chair of the Table de la sécurité routière
An applied case at the regional level: Traffic calming in Montreal
Traffic Calming: Evidence for Action
39 slides
Patrick Morency, M.D., M.Sc., FRCP, Medical Specialist in community health, Montréal health and social services agency/ public health branch
Louis Drouin, M.D., Medical Specialist, Head of urban environment and health, Montréal health and social services agency/ public health branch
4:20 PM to 4:30 PM
Response and case analyses
Evidence-based policies for more informed decision-making
8 slides
Jean Turgeon, Ph.D., Professor, École nationale d’administration publique du Québec and Co-director of the Groupe d’étude sur les politiques publiques et la santé
4:30 PM to 4:55 PM
Discussion with participants
4:55 PM to 5 PM
Conclusion of the thematic day
Scientific Committee:
Head: Marie-Christine Hogue, Research Officer, National Collaborating Centre for Healthy Public Policy
Geneviève Lapointe, Head of the Équipe Politiques publiques, Institut national de santé publique
Gérald Baril, Scientific Advisor on living habits, Institut national de santé publique du Québec.
Isabelle Veillette, Executive Counsellor, Direction générale adjointe à la mission universitaire, Centre de santé et de services sociaux de la Vieille-Capitale.
Louis Drouin, Medical Specialist, Head of urban environment and health, Montréal health and social services agency, public health branch
François-Pierre Gauvin, Doctoral Candidate, Health Research Methodology, McMaster University
François Benoit, Lead, National Collaborating Centre for Healthy Public Policy
Marianne Jacques, Network Development Officer, National Collaborating Centre for Healthy Public Policy
