Implementing early warning messages on emerging health technologies

The purpose of this study was to determine how horizon-scanning organizatio ns can encourage the implementation of recommendations contained in their e arly warning messages about emerging health technologies. We reviewed the c onclusions of the EUR-ASSESS Project Subgroup report on dissemination and i mpact, an overview of systematic reviews of interventions to promote implem entation of research findings by health care professionals, and various Coc hrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care Group protocols and revie ws. The evidence on the effectiveness of different implementation strategie s aimed at distinct target groups is of variable quality. There is some evi dence from rigorous study designs on the effectiveness of strategies design ed to influence the behavior of health care professionals; the quality of t he evidence relating to policy makers and the general public is more limite d. Horizon-scanning organizations can improve the likelihood of their recom mendations being acted upon by developing active implementation strategies based on the best available evidence, establishing links with key groups, a nd directing early warning messages at specific target audiences. Given the relative lack of good quality evidence, it is important that implementatio n strategies be rigorously evaluated to determine their effectiveness.