Building an Evidence to Action Network: Lessons Learned About Bringing Multiple Stakeholders Together

The PCORI Asthma Evidence to Action Network (E2AN) brings together 14 asthma-related multiple stakeholder teams comprised of researchers, patients, clinicians and other stakeholders. This presentation explores the process of fostering communication across this health network by gravitytank, an innovation consultancy, to spur cross-learning, collaboration and faster, more actionable sharing of research findings.

Fostering collaboration across the network faced two major challenges: 1) how to make the network valuable in the face of already busy research schedules and 2) how to support the needs of a multi-stakeholder collective. The team worked to overcome these challenges by creating content and tools capable of earning “quick wins” and drawing upon the knowledge and prior activities of the network to establish authenticity and conviction.

We employed a “build-to-learn” philosophy in the creation of the network. This means we deliver tools and resources that are both useful to the network and can help shape our understanding of the network’s needs. This process included the creation of a network newsletter, an interactive presentation focused on collaboration outside the health field and webinars for specific skill building. For each of these we both provided content to the network and reviewed quantitative and/or qualitative data to help us shape future activities.

In this interactive presentation, we will discuss issues critical to network formation among research teams. Discussion topics will include lessons learned and resources that support and impede network creation.