Written by Erin Holve, PhD, MPH, MPP, Senior Director, AcademyHealth
How can research go beyond traditional discovery, peer review and publication? How can it better resonate with stakeholders such as policymakers, business leaders and health systems administrators, who can take groundbreaking clinical data and implement innovative solutions that transform health and improve patient outcomes?
These questions have partially inspired a redesign of the EDM Forum’s brand, which for five years has driven collaboration among researchers and diverse stakeholders who create data, methods and evidence to shape the next generation of learning health systems. The redesign, which features sleek, modern branding, will further connect the dots between how electronic data can enhance research and quality improvement initiatives, opening the door to build relationships with new audiences.
The task to extend the reach of research and new evidence to improve health isn’t new.
An article in The Guardian in November 2014 delved into what steps can be taken to make relationships between researchers and policymakers more fruitful. Some of the conclusions in the article focused on the need for researchers to be clearer about their focus, improve their engagement techniques, network, and implement an active media presence.
Similarly, AcademyHealth’s Translation and Dissemination Institute tackled a similar topic last year during its Lessons Seminar, which explored, in part, how other industries communicate hard-to-digest information. Their findings can be found in a recent publication, “Moving Health Services Research Into Policy and Practice: Lessons from Inside and Outside the Health Sector.” Some of the conclusions in the final report focused on communicating research more effectively, establishing personal relationships, and using storytelling and social media to improve engagement with target audiences.
Linking clinical data with its practical application in hospitals or in policy isn’t an overnight reality. However, by improving how we present and communicate data, through better visuals and engaging channels, we can maximize the impact of research and achieve even greater collaboration.
This week during Health Datapalooza, I will be available to talk about the EDM Forum’s rebrand and refreshed approach to galvanizing new audiences, and making research into inspirational and aspirational assets for a variety of stakeholders. On June 2, from 3:35-4:05 pm, I will deliver a presentation on the EDM Forum rebranding, eGEMs and other collaborative projects at Exhibit Hall Booth #407.