NIHR Evidence Synthesis Scotland InitiativE (NESSIE) - Production of Evidence Syntheses for the Evidence Synthesis Programme

OUR EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS GROUP (ESG) will • produce and disseminate timely, high quality, impactful evidence syntheses (ES) relevant to UK health care, public health and social care, for the NIHR ES programme. • combine methods, topic and PPI expertise from existing, highly successful, ES teams and PPI groups co-located within our institutions, with strong, established links to wider networks of experts and end-users of evidence across the UK. • be based at the Usher Institute (University of Edinburgh) and the Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Research Unit (NMAHP-RU) at Glasgow Caledonian University. The Usher Institute and NMAHP-RU are both internationally recognised for excellence in health and social care research, with diverse expertise in ES methods, and specific expertise in PPI in ES. Our applicant team combines individuals with expertise in ES methods, PPI, social care, clinical and public health and project management. Our ‘ready to go’ team includes five highly skilled part-time systematic reviewers and an information specialist. Our well-integrated network of expertise and partnerships will enable us to bring in appropriate experts and conduct reviews on any topic area, using any research methodology. PPI / STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT will • be integral to our ESG. • include people with experience of a health/social care condition, their caregivers/families, support organisations, health and social care providers, policy makers and others. We are highly experienced at multi-stakeholder involvement within ES. Our three PPI co-applicants will support, guide and oversee PPI in the ESG and within individual ES, supported by named PPI leads/coordinator. Our ES will each have a bespoke stakeholder involvement plan, adhering to best practice principals and building on our expertise in actively involving stakeholders within reviews. METHODOLOGICAL STUDIES will • be conducted alongside our ES, taking opportunities to expand existing methods work. • include (but is not limited to): 1. raising standards for conduct and reporting of qualitative ES, 2. effective PPI, 3. health equity reporting and presentation, 4. implementation of findings. We will work collaboratively with other ESGs to maximise opportunities for robust studies. DISSEMINATION TO MAXIMISE IMPACT We will maximise the impact of our ES using strategies designed to address barriers to uptake of evidence, following recognised principles for effective and innovative dissemination. Each ES will have an individualised, co-produced, multi-layered dissemination / communication plan, including traditional communication methods (e.g. research reports, presentations) and innovative / creative methods (e.g. podcasts, webinars, infographics, social media posts). We will select channels of communication according to the target audience, and work with communication and impact experts from our universities. PROJECT MANAGEMENT Our highly experienced project manager, investigators and researchers will form a co-ordinated team for efficient ES. Opportunities for interns and early career researchers will raise capacity. A steering committee (including senior collaborators) will provide ad hoc advice/peer review, contribute to individual ES, and attend annual meetings focussed on strategic development, methodological innovation and improvement within our ESG. Success criteria will inform progress. We will actively support equality, diversity and inclusion within our ESG.