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  • Micaela Gal
    Cardiff University
  • Alison Cooper
    Cardiff University
  • Natalie Joseph-Williams
    Cardiff University
  • Elizabeth Doe
    Cardiff University
  • Ruth Lewis
  • Rebecca-Jane Law
    Welsh Government
  • Sally Anstey
    Cardiff University
  • Nathan Davies
    Cardiff University
  • Amy Walters
    Health and Care Research Wales (HCRW)
  • Robert Orford
    Welsh Government
  • Brendan Collins
    Welsh Government
  • Lisa Trigg
    Social Care Wales
  • Chris Roberts
    Welsh Government
  • Sarah Meredith
    Welsh Government
  • Stephen Macey
    Welsh Government
  • Andrew Carson-Stevens
    University of Liverpool
  • Jane Greenwell
    Cardiff University
  • Ffion Coomber
    Cardiff University
  • Adrian Edwards
    Cardiff University

BACKGROUND: The Wales COVID-19 Evidence Centre (WCEC) was established from 2021-23 to ensure that the latest coronavirus (COVID-19) relevant research evidence was readily available to inform health and social care policy and practice decision-makers. Although decisions need to be evidence-based, ensuring that accessible and relevant research evidence is available to decision-makers is challenging, especially in a rapidly evolving pandemic environment when timeframes for decision-making are days or weeks rather than months or years. We set up knowledge mobilisation processes to bridge the gap between evidence review and informing decisions, making sure that the right information reaches the right people at the right time.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To describe the knowledge mobilisation processes used by the WCEC, evaluate the impact of the WCEC rapid evidence reviews, and share lessons learned.

METHODS: Our knowledge mobilisation methods were flexible and tailored to meet stakeholders' needs. They included stakeholder co-production in our rapid evidence review processes, stakeholder-informed and participatory knowledge mobilisation, wider dissemination of outputs and associated activities including public engagement, capacity building and sharing of methodologies. Feedback on processes and evidence of impact was collected via stakeholder engagement and a stakeholder survey.

RESULTS: Findings indicate that knowledge mobilisation processes successfully enabled use of the WCEC's rapid evidence reviews to inform policy and practice decision-makers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Wales. Realising actual public and patient benefit from this 'pathway to impact' work will take further time and resources.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The WCEC knowledge mobilisation processes successfully supported co-production and use of rapid evidence review findings by scientific advisors and policy and practice decision-makers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Identified barriers and facilitators are of potential relevance to wider evidence initiatives, for setting up similar Centres during crisis situations, and supporting future evidence-based policy and practice decision-making.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)e0314461
JournalPLoS ONE
Volume19
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 26 Nov 2024
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