Request a Rapid Response

The OHTN Rapid Response Service provides access to research evidence in response to questions from community-based HIV/AIDS organizations, as well as policy-makers (such as provincial health authorities), healthcare providers, academic researchers, and others in Ontario to help support evidence-informed programs, service delivery and policy. For each Rapid Response, we will:

  • Conduct searches of relevant databases (such as PubMed/Medline and others)
  • Review the results for systematic reviews and primary studies that are relevant to the request
  • Summarize key findings from each review and study that we identify
  • Synthesize the key findings into a concise summary
  • Send the completed summary to the requester and share it on our website

Each summary we produce through the Rapid Response Service provides 3-5 key messages from the literature, outlines the issue and why it’s important, presents a more detailed summary of what we found, identifies possible factors that may affect the local applicability of the findings (e.g., where the research was conducted and with what populations) and provides a suggested citation.

Please note that the minimum timeline for the OHTN to complete a request is two months.

If you have any questions about the Rapid Response Service, please contact [email protected].

2019 Evaluation of the OHTN’s Rapid Response Service


Submitting a request

Please send all requests to [email protected] and include the following:

  • The written support of the organization’s executive director (as an attachment)
  • specific, searchable question (we can assist with its development)
  • rationale for the request (why is it necessary)
  • The timeframe for a response (the minimum timeline for completing a rapid response is two months)
  • The context (any relevant factors that might influence the search)
  • A list of literature already located on the subject (optional)
  • Acknowledgement that the organization agrees to participate in the evaluation process which includes completion of two short surveys
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