Plenary Session #1: May 31st, 2019 (Day 1) @ 9:30-10:30 AM Connecting with Decision-Makers: Some Important Things to Consider Mathieu Ouimet, Ph.D. Plenary Session #1: May 31st, 2019 (Day 1) @ 9:30-10:30 AM Theme: Advocating for change in the health system by connecting with decision-makers – Challenges and Opportunities

How to identify and engage the right health policy decision makers? Several decision-making settings -> Several rules and procedures to connect with decision makers Several types of decision makers -> Highly variable priorities and interests What is the objectives? -> Increased awareness of problems and solution – insert an amendement in a Bill, etc. How to position programs and projects to garner interest from health policy decision makers? Connect programs and projects with the content of political platforms, policy statements, action plans, etc. Connect programs and projects with issues covered in the mainstream media, which are coherent with public opinion (polls). What opportunities and challenges are encountered when working with health policy decision makers? Research findings can be costly for decision makers -> Will the findings adjust to their priorities and preferences? -> Learnings from cheap talk games The credibility issue -> Neutrality, objectivity and absence of conflict of interest

How to engage health policy decision makers in the co-design of research projects and programs? Not feasible for all types of policy decision makers Decision makers are great sources of ideas for developing research questions and KT strategies Independence must be secured for the good of researchers and decision makers -> The credibility issue Governance arrangements -> Projects approved by a scientific committee and run by scientists, not decision makers -> The credibility issue How Patient Partners can help in connecting with health policy decision makers? Increasing decision makers’ awareness of evidence-based problems and solutions -> Direct and indirect lobbying strategies