Systematic review evidence in one minute or less

Session: 

Oral session: Knowledge translation and communicating evidence (2)

Date: 

Sunday 16 September 2018 - 14:00 to 14:20

Location: 

Pentland Auditorium

All authors in correct order:

Van Eerd D1, Irvin E2, Vu U1, Buccat K1, Cullen K1, Moser C1
1 Institute for Work & Health, Canada
2 Cochrane Back and Neck, Canada
Presenting author and contact person

Presenting author:

Emma Irvin

Contact person:

Emma Irvin
Abstract text
Background: Getting research evidence to health consumers is a challenge. The Institute for Work & Health (IWH) initiated a systematic review program in 2004 to synthesize scientific literature and disseminate the results effectively. IWH systematic review products include two to three page lay summaries (called Sharing Best Evidence). The lay summaries are popular, but are considered long by some health consumers.

Objectives: Our objective was to produce, and post, short videos that summarize key findings of systematic reviews in one minute or less.

Methods: Video shorts were created by a multi-disciplinary team including a consumer, researcher, a video producer and a communications expert. The video shorts are based on high quality research (e.g. systematic review findings). Key messages are created in consultation with consumers. The production process begins with a storyboard (frame-by-frame outline). Development requires careful attention to style, pacing, tone, clarity, visual interest and audience appeal. Videos are tested with members of the target audience before being posted. Video shorts typically take about four weeks to complete.

Results: Two, one-minute videos developed by IWH were made to reach busy stakeholders with evidence they need to be safe in their work. The first video, posted in October 2016, is popular and has received over 1100 hits to date. Length - Videos are kept as short as possible, less than one minute. Format - No voice-overs are used. Simple graphics, images, text and short video clips are used, with instrumental background music. Content - Key messages from research findings are delivered in brief snippets of text.

Conclusions: Our videos are designed to serve two purposes: firstly, to provide stakeholders with key evidence they can use, and secondly, to link the viewer to the IWH website where they can read more information. Consultations with stakeholders on the key messages and video format are important. One-minute research video shorts are an effective means of disseminating key research findings.

Patient or healthcare consumer involvement: Health consumers from a variety of disciplines where involved in the content and video production.

Relevance to patients and consumers: 

It is critical that healthcare consumers are able to access the best available evidence easily. Therefore, we developed a video short to communicate the results of some of our reviews. Healthcare consumers are essential components in all of the Systematic Reviews produced by Institute for Work & Health. Consumers participate in multiple aspects of the review process including: the research question development, inclusion/exclusion criteria, development of key messages and dissemination. They were also participants in the development of the video short.