News and Updates

PRESS Consulting Leads International Effort to Strengthen Canadian Health Research Systems

Halifax, NS – PRESS Consulting founder, Dr. Mark Embrett, has led an international research initiative to help Canada’s health research systems prepare for the next public health emergency.

Published in Health Research Policy and Systems, the study brought together evidence from over 5,000 global sources to uncover how research systems responded during COVID-19—and what Canada must do to be ready next time.

The team’s findings highlight that Canada’s resilience depends on:

  • Strong governance to streamline decision-making and coordination across sectors.

  • Rapid funding mechanisms to accelerate vaccine and therapeutic development.

  • Cross-sector collaboration with academia, governments, and communities.

  • Knowledge mobilization strategies to ensure evidence is translated into timely action.

Dr. Embrett’s leadership ensured that the study not only analyzed lessons from other high-income countries but also delivered actionable recommendations for Canadian health research policy. These include flexible funding, robust data-sharing practices, and stronger community engagement to ensure equitable and effective responses.

“If Canada is to weather the next pandemic, our health research systems must be agile, coordinated, and ready to mobilize knowledge in real time,” said Dr. Embrett.

The research was commissioned by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s Centre for Research on Pandemic Preparedness and Health Emergencies (CRPPHE) and provides a roadmap for building a stronger, more responsive health research ecosystem in Canada.

Read the full article here: SpringerOpen – Building Resilient and Responsive Health Research Systems

Evidence Synthesis & Qualitative Research Examples

Evidence synthesis is the foundation of PRESS Consulting’s work. It involves systematically gathering, evaluating, and integrating findings from diverse sources of research and practice to provide a clear, balanced understanding of what is known—and what remains uncertain—on a given topic.

Unlike single studies that provide narrow insights, evidence synthesis brings together multiple studies, policies, and perspectives to generate a more reliable and comprehensive picture. This process allows decision-makers to move beyond individual reports or anecdotal evidence and instead rely on carefully appraised, aggregated knowledge.

At PRESS, we tailor evidence syntheses to meet the needs of policymakers, health system leaders, non-profits, and private organizations. Whether through a systematic review (deep and rigorous), a rapid review (fast yet focused), or a scoping review (broad mapping of existing knowledge), we ensure the process is transparent, methodologically sound, and aligned with international standards.

The result is not just an academic report, but a decision-ready product: clear summaries, actionable recommendations, and insights that highlight practical implications, policy relevance, and evidence gaps. By transforming complex research into accessible knowledge, evidence synthesis empowers clients to make timely, informed, and strategic choices.

Systematic Review

Comprehensive, rigorous evidence syntheses that follow established protocols to answer focused research questions with the highest level of reliability. Ideal for decisions requiring depth and precision.

Rapid Scoping Review

Rapid Reviews

Streamlined evidence syntheses that balance speed and rigor to provide timely, decision-ready insights. Perfect for informing urgent policy or program decisions.

Scoping Reviews

Broad reviews that map existing evidence, identify gaps, and clarify key concepts in emerging or complex fields. Useful for shaping research agendas and strategy.

Qualitative Research

In-depth exploration of experiences, perspectives, and contexts through interviews, focus groups, and thematic analysis. Provides rich insights into how policies, programs, and innovations are understood, adopted, and sustained in real-world settings.