A case study of the impact of the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Applied Health Research (NLCAHR) Contextualized Health Synthesis Research Program (CHRSP) on healthcare in Newfoundland and Labrador

• Main Author: Conway, Daniel
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Memorial University of Newfoundland 2024
• Subjects: Newfoundland
• Online Access: https://research.library.mun.ca/16364/; https://research.library.mun.ca/16364/1/converted.pdf

Applied health research, distinct from fundamental biomedical research, encompasses scientific exploration and a societal mission, emphasizing relevance to healthcare systems. Applied health services research specifically applies research methods to address real-world healthcare delivery, management, and policy issues, aiming to generate evidence-based solutions for improving quality, effectiveness, and accessibility. This type of research often involves collaboration among researchers, healthcare providers, and policymakers, utilizing various methods such as randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and qualitative research. The findings contribute to informed decisionmaking, guiding policy development and practices to enhance population health. The Contextualized Health Research Synthesis Program (CHRSP), introduced by the Newfoundland and Labrador Center for Applied Health Research (NLCAHR), is a vital initiative addressing the knowledge-to-action (KTA) gap with tailored evidence for Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). As the program surpasses its 15th year, assessing its impact, strengthening its mandate, and sharing lessons with other jurisdictions facing similar challenges is necessary. The thesis aims to document key lessons from CHRSP, identifying pathways for increased impact. By evaluating the program's processes and impact through interviews with past and current clients, it seeks to provide insights for future improvements. Some key findings highlighted the importance of contextualizing research evidence to improve healthcare outcomes, the role of CHRSP in decision-making, and the benefits of engagement in the research process. The study also identified barriers to change that must be addressed to improve healthcare outcomes in NL.