Stakeholder Perspectives on the Added Value of a Best Practice Portal

Abstract

The Dutch best practice portal Loketgezondleven.nl has played a leading role in public health in the Netherlands for the past 18 years. While the portal is widely known and valued, recent discussions with stakeholders have revealed several challenges, particularly regarding the role of the portal addressing health inequalities and structural changes, and related with that the practical uptake of best practices in policy and practice. To address these concerns and guide future improvements, the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) conducted an evaluation study.

In 2025, 75 relevant stakeholders were interviewed through 25 individual and group sessions using a structured interview guide. The findings were then discussed during a meeting with 30 stakeholders from various backgrounds, including policymakers, health promotion practitioners, and knowledge institutes. The main conclusion was that, although the portal and its assessment system remain robust and highly regarded, there is a clear need for better support in the implementation and uptake of best practices in policy and practice. Stakeholders highlighted the need for practical tools, such as a decision aid to help practitioners select interventions that best fit their context and policies. Another suggestion was to offer clear comparisons of similar practices (e.g., fall prevention) with their core elements and important context elements. Finally, policy makers and practitioners do want more support and information about the role of best practices in a system approach. In this workshop, RIVM will share the steps taken to address these needs and discuss ongoing efforts to improve the evidence based informed policy and practice and the role of the portal to improve structural changes.