Introduction
Over an 18- month period, our research group developed and implemented a creative, pragmatic, and collaborative data analysis and interpretation framework to illuminate initial sexual health research findings. The basis of our methodology was the use of patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) and co-production to analyse, interpret, and contextualise research findings, and to facilitate knowledge translation. Using this approach allowed stakeholders to share ideas, unconstrained by conventional academic approaches (eg papers and statistical outputs). Further, this approach helped us develop a more comprehensive and richer understanding of the research findings, which fed into informing and co-producing novel research outputs. Creative data analysis interlinked with idea generation to help inform a dissemination strategy that prompted ownership among stakeholders. As a result, stakeholders championed dissemination and adoption of the recommendations, accelerating the process of translating research evidence into national guidance and practice.
This chapter includes six sections describing our creative approach from a methodological and narrative perspective, including supporting quotes and reflections from co- producers/ co- authors. Firstly, we present the national guidance context followed by the sexual health context in the UK and the need for research to inform policy and practice in this area. Then, we describe how PPIE and co- production underpinned our knowledge translation framework, and explain how these frameworks informed our analytic process. Finally, we reflect on the strengths and limitations of our analytic approach, and share recommendations to help researchers explore, adapt, and ultimately improve ways of implementing this novel approach.
Context
Globally, governments are under increasing pressure to develop, implement, and evaluate evidence- based health- care policies and interventions that are tailored to the needs of research beneficiaries (WHO, 2021; Francoise et al, 2022). Using evidence- based policy approaches gives policy makers and providers a systematic framework to identify specific policy elements that are most likely to be effective for improving people's health and well- being outcomes and reducing inequalities (Cairney and Oliver, 2017). Evidence- based policy requires policy makers and providers to be agile in responding to rapidly emerging scientific research, and to the needs and priorities of those with lived experience (Oliver et al, 2014).
