Using evidence from civil society in national and subnational health policy processes: a qualitative evidence synthesis.

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (qualitative). The objectives are as follows: To explore the use of evidence from civil society in national and subnational health policy processes. The specific research questions will include the following. How is evidence from civil society incorporated into health policy processes and what types of evidence are (or are not) incorporated? How do civil society actors perceive and experience the use of their evidence in health policy processes? How do decision-makers, healthcare providers and other stakeholders in health policy processes experience and use civil society evidence, and what factors affect this process? What are civil society actors', healthcare providers', decision-makers' and other stakeholders' views and experiences of how evidence from civil society actors influences inclusiveness, responsiveness and accountability within health policy processes?