EvidenceNetwork.ca Workshop on

Writing OpEds

Gregory Marchildon, University of ReginaJennifer Verma, CHSRFDavid Secko, Concordia UniversityErik Landriault, CIHR-IHSPR

Annual CAHSPR ConferenceMay 30, 2012

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Introduce EvidenceNetwork.ca Writing a Snappy OpEd OpEds as a KT vehicle What are OpEd editors looking for? Traditional media vs. Online publishers Beginners’ Inventory of Popular Outlets YOUR TURN!

Overview

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Links journalists with health policy experts to provide access to credible, evidence-based information.

What does EvidenceNetwork.ca do?

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To get your research “out” To set the record straight To counter a growing “belief” that is not

based on, or even counter to the evidence (myth-busting)

To exercise your “full” citizenship

Why even bother?

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“Opposite the Editorial Pages” (OpEd) Key Perimeters:

◦ Focus on a single or few major points/arguments◦ Succinct (650-750 words)◦ Timely (newsworthy)◦ Compelling, convincing and conversational◦ Draw from strong evidence (noting, research on

its own rarely changes minds)◦ Jargon- and citation-free (but not evidence-free!)◦ Provide a solution or steps toward a solution

(What needs to be done?) along with the key players (Who needs to do it?)

Writing a Snappy OpEd

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THE LATEST RESEARCH SHOWS THAT WE REALLY SHOULD DO SOMETHING

WITH ALL THIS RESEARCH

OpEds and KT in Funded Research

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Knowledge translation is about:

Making users aware of knowledge and facilitating their use of it to improve health and health care systems

Closing the gap between what we know and what we do (reducing the know-do gap)

Moving knowledge into action

Defining Knowledge Translation (KT)

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Knowledge Translation is something that most researchers are already doing, to some extent.

Researchers who: publish their research findings tell other researchers about their work present their work at conferences

……are engaged in at least one part of the process we call “knowledge translation”: disseminating the results of their work to their peers

Most Researchers Engage in KT

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Consistent evidence of failure to translate research findings into clinical practice:• 30-45% patients do not get treatments of

proven effectiveness• 20–25% patients get care that is not needed or

potentially harmful (McGlynn et al, 2003; Grol R, 2001; Schuster, McGlynn, Brook, 1998)

Cancer outcomes could be improved by 30% with optimum application of what is currently known

10% reduction in cancer mortality with widespread use of available therapies(CSCC 2001; Ford et al, 1990)

Why is KT Important?

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A broad spectrum of activities including: Diffusion (let it happen)

Dissemination (help it happen)◦ activities that tailor the message and medium

to a specific audience

Application (make it happen)◦ moving research into practice/policy in cases

where the strength of evidence is sufficient

Raising Awareness of New Knowledge

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Some filters that editors use when considering opinion:

1. Can the writer claim expertise on the topic? 2. Is the argument refreshing without being perilous to the

publication?3. Can the argument be connected to current events or

news?Alterative structural view:4. Starts with a provocative statement;5. Provocative statement is contrasted against what is at

stake;6. Supporting information answers everything that might

immediately come to a reader’s mind;7. A recap elaborates on the provocative statement.

What are OpEd editors looking for?

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Multimediality, interactivity and hypertextuality

Blended journalism Editorial Staff Authority Speed Audience

Content + Distribution + Credibility

Traditional vs. Online Media?

Secko. JPM 10(2&3): 261 (2009)

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Canadian News Outlets

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Getting your OpEd Out There! Connect with news media that report on health

(e.g., Globe and Mail, Hamilton Spectator) and publish analyses, opinion and editorial content (e.g., Troy Media, Huffington Post, The Mark)

Put a “Creative Commons” on the content – reprints in small community, rural, niche, ethnic and online media across the country

Remember Grey Literature (e.g., NGO newsletters, websites, magazines)

Get a ‘double run’ by translating

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Form a team > Pick a theme (4) Review materials (news article,

Mythbusters) Develop key points for an OpEd Report back Compare EvidenceNetwork.ca expert

OpEds Wrap up and closing thoughts

YOUR TURN!

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EvidenceNetwork.ca Themes

Aging Population and its Potential Impact

Healthcare Costs and Spending

More Care is Not Always Better

Health is More than Healthcare

Private, For-Profit Solutions to Funding and Delivery

Patient Financing of Healthcare (The Patient Pays)

Sustainability

Waiting for Care

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Example: User Fees

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News: “Explore all funding options for health care, says outgoing CMA head” (Postmedia News, Aug 12, 2011) http://www.canada.com/business/Explore+funding+options+health+care+says+outgoing+head/5288501/story.html

Research Summary: “Myth: User Fees Would Stop Waste and Ensure Better Use of the Healthcare System” (CHSRF, 2001) http://www.chsrf.ca/Migrated/PDF/myth4_e.pdf

Op-Ed: “Making patients pay won’t make our health system more affordable” (2011-2012) by Raisa Deber and Noralou Roos, published in the The Toronto Star and The Montréal Gazette http://umanitoba.ca/outreach/evidencenetwork/archives/4380

Example: User Fees

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Choice of Themes for OpEd Exercise (1)

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Choice of Themes for OpEd Exercise (2)

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Choice of Themes for OpEd Exercise (3)

Activity – based Funding

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Choice of Themes for OpEd Exercise (4)

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What central focus will your OpEd take?◦ Is it topical? Does it offer a new angle? How might

you open and close the OpEd? What are your key lines of argument? Facts?◦ What other research, evidence or sources would

you like to consider? What’s the greatest struggle you face in preparing/publishing this OpEd?

Questions to Guide Your Work

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What central focus will your OpEd take?◦ Is it topical? Does it offer a new angle? How might

you open and close the OpEd? What are your key lines of argument? Facts?◦ What other research, evidence or sources would

you like to consider? What’s the greatest struggle you face in preparing/publishing this OpEd?

Team Report Back

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EvidenceNetwork.ca Expert OpEds What central focus did they take?

◦ Is it topical? Does it offer a new angle? How did they open and close the OpEd?

What are their key lines of argument? Facts?◦ What other research, evidence or sources did they

consider? Other thoughts

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THANK YOU! NOW, IT’S YOUR TURN!

Visit www.EvidenceNetwork.ca

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Population aging and fiscal sustainability◦News: “Canada’s aging population will strain the

health-care system” (Feb 6, 2012) http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/editorials/canadas-aging-population-will-strain-the-health-care-system/article2326529/

◦Research Summary: “Myth: The Aging Population is to Blame for Uncontrollable Healthcare Costs” (2011) http://www.chsrf.ca/Libraries/Mythbusters/Myth_AgingPopulation_EN_FINAL_1.sflb.ashx

◦Op-Ed: “We can sustain our health care system—here’s how”(2011-2012) by Neena Chappell, published in the Hill Times, Calgary Herald and the Halifax Chronicle Herald http://umanitoba.ca/outreach/evidencenetwork/archives/4641

For more information:

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Mammography screening◦News: “Mammography harm 'underappreciated’ Decline

in breast cancer deaths from therapy, not screening” (Apr 2, 2012) http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2012/04/02/mammography-overdiagnosis-breast-cancer.html

◦Research Summary: “Myth: Early detection is good for everyone” (2006) http://www.chsrf.ca/Migrated/PDF/myth22_e.pdf and “Myth: Whole-body screening is an effective way to detect hidden cancers” (2009) http://www.chsrf.ca/Migrated/PDF/11491_newsletter_en.pdf

◦Op-Ed: “Small benefits, substantial harms with mammography screening” by Cornelia Baines, published in The National Post and Huffington Post http://umanitoba.ca/outreach/evidencenetwork/archives/4490

For more information:

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Activity-based hospital funding◦News: “Financer (enfin) les hôpitaux au

rendement” (01 mars 2012) http://www.cyberpresse.ca/debats/editoriaux/201202/29/01-4501135-financer-enfin-les-hopitaux-au-

rendement.php and “Activity-based hospital funding: boon or boondoggle?” (May 20, 2008) http://www.cmaj.ca/content/178/11/1407.full.pdf

◦Research Summary: “Myth: Activity-Based Funding Leads to For-Profit Hospital Care” (2012) http://www.chsrf.ca/Libraries/Mythbusters/Myth-ABF-leads-to-profit-E.sflb.ashx

◦Op-Ed: “New hospital funding models not without risks” (2012) by Jason Sutherland and M. Trafford Crump, published in the Hill Times and the Calgary Beacon http://beaconnews.ca/calgary/2012/02/why-we-never-seem-to-have-enough-hospital-beds-in-canada/

For more information:

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Generic vs. Brand drugs◦News: “Generic Drugs vs. Brand Name Drugs” (Sept, 2011)

http://www.readersdigest.ca/health/sickness-prevention/generic-drugs-vs-brand-name-drugs

◦Research Summary: “Myth: Generic Drugs are Lower-quality and Less Safe Than Brandname Drugs” (2007) http://www.chsrf.ca/Libraries/Mythbusters/Myth_Generic_drugs_are_lower_quality_EN_FINAL.sflb.ashx

◦ Op-Ed: “Designer drugs: You’re really paying for the name” (2012) by Alan Cassels, published in the Huffington Post and the Hill Times http://umanitoba.ca/outreach/evidencenetwork/archives/4764 and “The $2-billion extra price tag of brand-name drugs in Canada”and “Our Surprisingly Expensive Pharmaceuticals” (2011) by Marc-André Gagnon, published in the Hill Times and The Mark News (respectively) http://www.themarknews.com/articles/4789-our-surprisingly-expensive-pharmaceuticals

For more information: