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Table 2 Summaries of knowledge brokering activities

From: Knowledge brokering between researchers and policymakers in Fiji to develop policies to reduce obesity: a process evaluation

Category

Description of activities

Outcomes and comments

Recruiting partner organizations

Organizations

Followed selection criteria, prepared concept papers that advocate for obesity and NCD and policy environment High level officers appointed Focal Points to coordinate programs with researchers

Twelve government and non-government organizations identified, eight approached, six were endorsed and recruited while two declined.

Participants

49 senior officers recruited across organizations

Emails, phone calls and face to face meetings held

Advisors

Followed selection criteria of those familiar with the policy-making process

Four advisors were recruited

Mapping policy environment

Source of information

Searched in government websites: organizational mission, vision statements, corporate and strategic plans, annual reports, received hard copies from contacts within organizations

Access to Roadmap for democracy and sustainable socio-economic development (SSED), Peoples Charter for Change, MDGs, Corporate plans, strategic plans.

Analyzing organizational capacity and support for evidence-informed policy-making (EIPM)

Semi-structured interviews

Conducted with individual participants and experts in each participating organization

49 participants and 5 experts consented and interviewed

Questionnaires

Developed, piloted and administered to participants prior to evidence-informed policy-making activities

49 participants returned completed questionnaire

Developing evidence-informed policy-making skills

PowerPoint Presentations

Developed Master presentations for evidence-informed policy-making

PowerPoint presentations tailored to each organization needs prepared

Fact Sheets

Developed guide on how to acquire evidence using different search engines, access and analyze

50 Fact sheets distributed to participants

Template for policy briefs

Developed template for writing policy briefs

5/6 organizations used the template, one organization had its own template prior to engagement with TROPIC

Template for presentation of policy briefs

Developed template for PowerPoint presentation of policy briefs

2/6 organizations made oral presentations using template provided, 2 others discussed policy briefs in a closed meeting, the 2 NGOs discussed proposed policy briefs via phone and send through email.

Evidence-informed policy-making

Conducted 27 workshops across 6 organizations, 45% of participants attended at least 1 workshop and 55% attended whole workshop series

2 organizations selected a second more senior participant group because of high staff turnover and recognition of the importance of having senior officers develop their EIPM skills

Skill-based workshop (small group)

Conducted 26 workshops with small group of participants on skill training, 35% of participants attended

These included those who either missed out a session or need skill training in referencing, use of Endnote software, professional writing and health impact assessment.

Facilitating development of evidence-informed policy briefs

One-to-one meeting

156 meetings conducted with 40 participants across 6 organizations, assisted in acquiring evidence and writing briefs

77% of participants attended; 262 hours of support provided from individual TROPIC team

Small Group meeting

30 meetings conducted across 6 organizations, generally 2 participants, encouraging continuity of EIPM against tight work schedule, and completing policy briefs.

35 hours of support provided

Policy brief meeting

98 meetings conducted across 6 organizations, assisted individuals or small groups in reviewing policy briefs, in writing and presentation skills to high level officers.

52% of participants attended; 141 hours of support provided

Telephone-base counseling

85 phone calls made to participants across organizations in shaping the development of policy briefs

21 hours of support provided

Email, SMS

799 emails sent to participants supporting the development of policy briefs, counseling and encouraging continuity of EIPM, 33 txt messages reminding participants on approaching deadline for next draft of briefs

290 hours of support provided from individual TROPIC team

Selection of policy topics

Facilitated selection of 35 policy topics by participants

35% of participants completed at least one policy brief; 20 policy briefs completed and presented to high level officers

Sourced materials: Technical

Facilitated access to Hinari website, Endnote software and Use of IT Laboratory from Ministry of Health for practical learning of acquiring evidence using different search engines

Sourced Hinari from Ministry of Health to its participants, referred student access to those enrolled in other local institutions in Fiji