Citation

Purtle J, Dodson EA, Nelson K, Meisel ZF, Brownson RC. Psychiatr. Serv. 2018; 69(10): 1105-1108.

Affiliation

Dr. Purtle and Ms. Nelson are with the Department of Health Management and Policy, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia. Dr. Dodson and Dr. Brownson are with the Prevention Research Center in St. Louis, Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis. Dr. Brownson is also with the Division of Public Health Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis. Dr. Meisel is with the Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, American Psychiatric Association)

DOI

10.1176/appi.ps.201800153

PMID

29983112

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to characterize primary sources of behavioral health research and dissemination preferences of state legislators and assess differences by political party.

METHODS: A 2017 cross-sectional survey of state legislators (N=475) assessed where legislators seek, and the most important features of, behavioral health research. Bivariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression were conducted.

RESULTS: Advocacy organizations (53%), legislative staff (51%), and state agencies (48%) were identified most frequently as sources of behavioral health research. Universities were identified by significantly more Democrats than Republicans (34% versus 19%; adjusted odds ratio=1.79). Data about budget impact and cost-effectiveness were most frequently rated as very important, but by significantly fewer Democrats than Republicans (77% versus 87% and 76% versus 89%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: To reach legislators and satisfy their information preferences, behavioral health researchers should target diverse audiences, partner with intermediary organizations, and craft messages that include economic evaluation data.

Language: en

Keywords

Dissemination; Legislators; Politics; Public policy issues; Research use