Table 3 Possible outline of a policy brief

Key messages (possibly as bullet points)

• What is the problem?

• What do we know (and not know) about viable options to address the problem?

• What implementation considerations need to be borne in mind?

Report

• Introduction that describes the issue and the context in which it will be addressed

• Definition of the problem such that its features can be understood in one or more of the following terms:

1. The nature and burden of common diseases and injuries that the healthcare system must prevent or treat

2. The cost-effective programmes, services and drugs that are needed for prevention and treatment, and

3. The health system arrangements that determine access to and use of cost-effective programmes, services and drugs, including how they affect particular groups

• Options for addressing the problem, with each one assessed in a table (an example is shown below)

Category of finding

Nature of findings from systematic reviews and other available research evidence

Benefits

Harms

Costs and cost-effectiveness

Uncertainty regarding benefits and potential harms

Key elements of the option (how and why it works)

Stakeholders' views and experiences

• Implementation considerations, with potential barriers to implementing the options assessed in a table (please see example below), each viable implementation strategy also assessed in table (please see example above), and suggestions for a monitoring and evaluation plan

Levels

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

Consumer

Healthcare provider

Organisation

System

Additional content that could appear on a cover page or in an appendix:

• A list of authors and their affiliations

• A list of those involved in establishing the terms of reference for the policy brief and their affiliations

• A list of key informants who were contacted to gain additional perspectives on the issue and to identify relevant data and research evidence, and their affiliations

• A list of funders (for the organisation producing the policy brief and for the policy brief itself)

• A statement about conflicts of interest among authors

Additional content that could appear in boxes or in an appendix

• Methods used to identify, select, and assess synthesised research evidence (including assessments of quality, local applicability and equity considerations)

• Review process used to ensure the scientific quality and system relevance of the policy brief