What counts as evidence? The communication of information about older people between health and social care practitioners

This paper draws on a study to provide an evidence base for strategies and effectiveness of the transfer of information about older people between health and social care practitioners at the health and social care interface. It reports on the development of a systematic approach to the review of the related research literature and presents some key findings. It goes on to discuss some methodological issues arising from a review covering both health and social care research. By locating this study - a systematic review - within the wider debate on evidence-based practice, this paper considers the nature and scope of this form of evidence alongside other forms of evidence and their use in professional practice. It concludes with some observations regarding the relevance of the findings from this study for both practice and further research