“Knowing how to find and use research evidence can help policymakers and those who support them to do their jobs better and more efficiently,” say Andy Oxman and Stephen Hanney in their newly published step-by-step guide to evidence-informed policymaking.

An open access publication, the SUPPORT tools for evidence-informed health policymaking is a supplement in Health Research Policy and Systems. Broken down into 17 “tools”, or steps, it is formatted as a set of questions, with a focus on four broad areas: supporting evidence-informed policymaking, identifying needs for research, finding and assessing research evidence and going from research evidence to decisions.

This innovative publication is an excellent example of how the evidence-based approach is becoming more sophisticated and accessible, at the same time that the focus on linking research to policy and practice is maintained.

http://www.health-policy-systems.com/supplements/7/S1