Rapid evidence services: standard operating procedures for rapid response products

Overview

Evidence-informed policy-making (‎EIP)‎ provides a robust evidence base to underpin decisions, leading to better health outcomes. A supportive EIP environment allows for effective knowledge translation, whereby evidence can be applied and implemented in policy decisions. Rapid response products provide timely and evidence-informed policy solutions and options to decision-makers by relying primarily on previously published systematic reviews. A common understanding of how evidence that influences decisions is used across multiple health system decision levels can support the development of a universal working framework for EIP. These standard operating procedures for RRPs are substantially based on materials developed by the McMaster Health Forum, Canada, and the Knowledge to Policy Centre at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, and through practical experience with countries and interactions of the WHO EVIPNet Secretariat with EIP.