Through the evidence uptake networks program, NICS is currently supporting two clinician-led networks to close gaps between research evidence and current clinical practice. The Diabetes Collaborative Network is working to improve control of cardiovascular risk factors for people with diabetes treated at outpatient clinics. The Australia and New Zealand Neonatal Network is working to improve the management of procedural pain for newborn infants in neonatal care units.
Background
The concept for the program came from a 2003 NICS workshop that brought together health leaders from around Australia to explore possible strategies for increasing the use of best evidence in clinical practice. The workshop also formed the basis for a 30 page supplement in the March 15 2004 Medical Journal of Australia entitled 'Adopting best evidence in practice', which included a paper outlining the case for networks.
What is a network?
A network is a grouping of individuals, organisations and agencies on a non-hierarchical basis around common issues or concerns, which are pursued proactively and systematically, based on commitment and trust (World Health Organisation).
In the context of the program, an evidence uptake network is defined as a linked group of clinicians working in a co-ordinated way, unconstrained by existing organisational boundaries, to improve care in a particular clinical area or for a particular group of patients.
Networks are of interest to NICS because they provide a means for health professionals to combine expertise and resources across a range of settings, organisations, locations and disciplines to work together to increase adoption of evidence into practice.
Networks can provide momentum for activities and allow peer support, sharing of information and ideas and benchmarking of practice and outcomes. They also provide a focus to develop and put in place effective solutions to closing the gaps between research evidence and current clinical practice. More information about using networks is available in the paper Networks to support evidence implementation.
Phase one of the evidence uptake network program (2005)
In phase one of the program, NICS called for expressions of interest from new and existing Australian health care networks seeking to improve the use of evidence in practice. From a field of over 100 applications, eleven networks were selected to receive $10,000 seed-funding to use in developing their network and to support them in pinpointing important gaps between evidence and practice in their area of care.
Over 6 months from January to June 2005, the 11 networks:
- identified gaps between evidence and practice in their area of care
- developed criteria for prioritising evidence–practice gaps for improvement activities
- identified the likely barriers to changing practice in these priority areas
- outlined a process for the network to identify evidence–practice gaps in the future
The networks also participated in a networks evidence implementation workshop with NICS in February 2005.
Details of the funded networks:
Phase two of the program (2006- )
NICS has begun phase two of its evidence uptake network program with two clinical networks, Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Network (ANZNN) and Diabetes Collaborative Network (DCN), chosen to each receive $100,000 per year for two years to close the priority evidence-practice gaps they identified.
ANZNN and DCN were chosen from the 11 networks funded by NICS during phase one of the program. To apply the networks submitted their proposal for closing the identified gap, including:
- the evidence–practice gap
- the importance of the gap
- the aim for improving practice
- evidence implementation strategy and evidence in support of that strategy
- governance and membership
- means of monitoring change in practice
- plans for obtaining support for the Network beyond NICS funding
- More information on the phase two networks
Further information
For more information on the networks program contact Sue Huckson on (+61 3) 8866 0410 or email Sue.Huckson@nhmrc.gov.au