COLLABORATION FROM THE START - TARGETED PROJECTS

Early collaboration within the health administration can lead to targeted public health projects, with Hdir responsible for commissioning the knowledge synthesis and NIPH providing the evidence base.

The Norwegian Directorate of Health (Hdir) and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) have distinct roles within Norway’s health administration. Both institutions operate under the Ministry of Health and Care Services (HOD). NIPH conducts and delivers research-based knowledge, whereas Hdir is responsible for developing and disseminating products such as guidelines and recommendations. Since January 2025, NIPH and Hdir have been collaborating on an evidence synthesis concerning the prevention and early intervention of eating disorders.

In the 2022/23 national budget, Hdir was allocated funding to strengthen efforts related to the prevention, early intervention, and treatment of eating disorders. This initiative is also embedded in the Norwegian Escalation Plan for Mental Health (2023–2033).

Following discussions with HOD, Hdir commissioned NIPH to conduct an evidence synthesis. To establish the most robust knowledge base possible, we agreed upon a two-step process. First, NIPH develops an evidence and gap map to identify relevant high-quality systematic reviews. Simultaneously, this mapping will highlight knowledge gaps, which NIPH will address in the second step. If no major knowledge gaps are identified, NIPH will compile an umbrella review. However, if no high-quality systematic reviews on the prevention or early intervention of eating disorders are found, NIPH will conduct a new systematic review on a selection of key research questions.

Hdir has conducted extensive insight work on prevention and early intervention in regional, local, and municipal health services. This insight work, together with the family caregiver and user experiences and NIPH’s evidence synthesis, will contribute to evidence-based practice on the prevention and early intervention of eating disorders.

Through weekly meetings and early involvement of NIPH, the project plan was adjusted to meet Hdir’s needs. Through the evidence and gap map we will gain a broad overview of the topic and can assess the need for more comprehensive research outputs, such as primary studies, systematic reviews, or umbrella reviews. Additionally, the mapping can serve as a resource for prevention and early intervention efforts in various projects, as it provides a broad thematic overview with quality assessments of published systematic reviews.

It is beneficial that the health administration collaborates, with Hdir responsible for commissioning the evidence synthesis and NIPH responsible for determining the methodological approach, including search strategy, systematic procedures, and analytical methodology. Experience shows that early collaboration contributes to the formulation of precise research questions and a more targeted project.