Overview
The NY PBRN conducted a two-part research project about evidence-based decision making (EBDM) in local health departments. A steering committee made up of all the PBRN partners guided the research from its inception. The research aimed to identify facilitators and barriers of EBDM, and opportunities to increase its use in these settings. After completing an extensive literature review of EBDM, the first phase was a qualitative study that consisted of 25 individual and small-group interviews with commissioners, health directors, and upper-level staff with decision-making responsibilities. The participants identified barriers of EBDM and facilitators to increase its use, including the workforce and their competencies, management configurations, and the opportunities and challenges in working with local legislatures. Information from the qualitative phase guided the development of a quantitative survey of all local health departments to assess EBDM practices and their determinants. The results showed that LHDs did not often carry out all of the EBDM steps and the frequency of participation in EBDM activities did not vary significantly by program area. Numerous factors were identified that facilitate or impede EBDM, including internal factors (e.g., leadership, staff capacity, organizational culture) and external factors (e.g., policy environment, replicable evidence-based strategies). LHDs need to be encouraged and supported to make EBDM activities routine when planning, implementing, or evaluating interventions. Emphasis should be placed on using all of the steps of EBDM, especially evaluation and dissemination of results.
Presentations
- Evidence-Based Decision Making in Local Health Departments: Facilitators and Barriers to Practice
(Keeneland Conference, April 2011) - Evidence-Based Decision Making in Local Health Departments: Facilitators and Barriers to Practice
(New York State Department of Health: Science, Program Evaluation, Epidemiology and Data Rounds, May 2011) - Evidence-Based Decision Making in Local Health Departments: Facilitators and Barriers to Practice
(New York Association of County Health Officials, June 2011) - Evidence-Based Decision Making in Local Health Departments: Facilitators and Barriers to Practice
(New York State Department of Health Poster Day, November 2012) - Evidence-Based Decision Making by Local Health Departments in New York State
(Keeneland Conference, April, 2014)
Publications
- Evidence-based decision making in local health departments.
- Factors affecting evidence-based decision making in local health departments.
Research Areas
Contact Us
Linda Weiss, Ph.D.
LWeiss@nyam.org
Dayna Maniccia, Dr.P.H.
manicd@sage.edu
Christopher Maylahn, M.P.H
christopher.maylahn@health.ny.gov