This methods Guide explores various ways to address the challenges of synthesizing evidence from HPSR including methods and tools to conduct and promote the uptake of evidence synthesis for health policy and systems. It presents key methodological guidance relevant to HPSR evidence synthesis, showcases applied examples of relevant evidence syntheses in the field of HPSR and suggests approaches to foster the integration of such evidence into policy and practice. It is designed as a roadmap to the applied methods and resources that are available to those performing and using HPSR evidence synthesis.
The Methods Guide has the following specific objectives. The first objective is to highlight and provide guidance on the key features of and approaches to HPSR synthesis. The second is to showcase examples of well conducted and innovative HPSR evidence syntheses encompassing different questions and methods. The third is to support capacity-strengthening efforts in HPSR evidence synthesis. The fourth is to promote the integration of HPSR synthesis findings in policy and practice. The target audience of the methods guide includes researchers undertaking health policy and systems evidence syntheses, teachers and students of HPSR evidence synthesis methods, stakeholders using HPSR evidence synthesis findings, health systems managers, national and international guideline development committees, and institutions that support or commission systematic reviews for health policy and systems decision-making.
