Macro-level (economic and political)
This level focused on policymakers’ issues that support translating evidence into practice such as guidelines, partnerships and regulations. Three reviews reported political challenges as factors impeding translation of health research evidence into clinical practice.19,34,35 Policymakers were not trained and skilled in research methods.19 Policymakers did not see alignment between research and policy considerations,35 and remain suspicious about the utility of research findings.34
Identifying the right stakeholders and developing strong collaboration and connections between policymakers and research staff were the main facilitators discussed in two reviews,19,35 These can be achieved through technology support, such as web-based conferencing platforms. This technology provides policymakers with updated information in research and engages them in all research priorities, which help them to make evidence-based choices.35Other facilitators play a significant role in translating evidence into practice, such as developing trust across policymakers and researchers,35 developing guidelines that promote best practice.34 Important too is early involvement of stakeholders in the design of research, including involvement from the point of research initiation of those most likely to be affected by research output.33