Addressing evidence needs during health crises in the province of Quebec (Canada): a proposed action plan for rapid evidence synthesis (preprint)

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the rapid availability of evidence to respond in a timely manner to the needs of practice settings and decision-makers in health and social services. Now that the pandemic is over, it is time to put in place actions to improve the capacity of systems to meet knowledge needs in a situation of crisis. The main objective of this project was thus to develop an action plan for the rapid syntheses of evidence in times of health crisis in Quebec (Canada). Methods: We conducted a three-phase collaborative research project. First, we carried out a survey with producers and users of rapid evidence syntheses (n=40) and a group interview with three patient partners to prioritize courses of action. In parallel, we performed a systematic mapping of the literature to identify rapid evidence synthesis initiatives developed during the pandemic. The results of these two phases were used in a third phase, in which we organized a deliberative workshop with 26 producers and users of rapid evidence syntheses to identifying ways to operationalize priorities. The data collected at each phase were compared to identify common courses of action and integrated to develop an action plan. Results: A total of 14 specific actions structured into four main axes were identified over the three phases. In axis 1, actions on raising awareness of the importance of evidence-informed decision-making among stakeholders in the health and social services network are presented. Axis 2 includes actions to promote optimal collaboration of key stakeholders in the production of rapid evidence synthesis to support decision-making. Actions advocating the use of a variety of rapid evidence synthesis methodologies known to be effective in supporting decision-making are presented in axis 3. Finally, axis 4 is about actions on the use of effective strategies to promote the dissemination, sharing, and use of rapid evidence synthesis products to support decision-making. Conclusions: This project led to the development of a collective action plan aimed at preparing the Quebec ecosystem and other similar jurisdictions to meet knowledge needs more effectively in times of health emergency. The implementation of this plan and its evaluation will enable us to continue to fine-tune it.

Learning from intersectoral initiatives to respond to the needs of refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants without status in the context of COVID-19 in Quebec and Ontario: A qualitative multiple case study protocol (preprint)

Background Refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants without status experience precarious living and working conditions which disproportionately expose them to COVID-19. In the two most populous Canadian provinces (Quebec and Ontario), to reduce the vulnerability factors experienced by the most marginalized migrants, the public and community sectors engage in joint coordination efforts called intersectoral collaboration. This collaboration ensures holistic care provisioning, inclusive of psychosocial support, assistance to address food security, as well as educational and employment assistance. This research project explores how community and public sectors collaborated on intersectoral initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic to support refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants without status in cities of Montreal, Sherbrooke, and Toronto, and generates lessons for a sustainable response to the heterogeneous needs of these migrants.Methods This theory-informed participatory research is co-created with socio-culturally diverse research partners (refugees, asylum seekers and migrants without status, employees of community organizations, and employees of public organizations). We will utilize Mirzoev and Kane’s framework on health systems’ responsiveness to guide the 4-phases of a qualitative multiple case study (a case being an intersectoral initiative). These phases will include, 1) building an inventory of intersectoral initiatives developed during the pandemic, 2) organizing a deliberative workshop with representatives of the study population, community and public sectors respondents to select and validate the intersectoral initiatives, 3) interviews (n = 80) with community and public sector frontline workers and managers, municipal/regional/provincial policymakers and employees of philanthropic foundations 4) focus groups (n = 80) with refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants without status. Qualitative data will be analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings will be used to develop discussion forums to spur cross-learning among service providers.Discussion This research will highlight the experiences of community and public organizations in their ability to offer responsive services for refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants without status in the context of a pandemic. We will draw lessons learnt from the promising practices developed in the context of COVID-19, to improve services beyond times of crisis. Lastly, we will reflect upon our participatory approach – particularly in relation to the engagement of refugees and asylum seekers in the governance of our research.