An illustrative guide to a Policy Lab model: contributing to evidence-informed policies for digital technology in youth mental health care

Objective. This article provides researchers with an illustrative guide for a workshop model that facilitates evidence-informed policy. The Policy Lab model supports collaboration between experts and policymakers; in the example provided, participants considered digital technologies with near-term potential to improve youth mental health care. Method. The Policy Lab model uses structured workshop activities to explore a policy question, before narrowing the focus on potential answers. The barriers, enablers, and implementation mechanisms of potential policies are then considered. From this data policy proposal(s) are drafted, reviewed, and reported. Results. Through the Policy Lab activities, participants identified two priority technologies and generated data to inform the formulation of two policies. The policies were focused on (1) using artificial intelligence to improve the personalisation and precision of youth mental health care and (2) the expanded use of integrated data to improve youth mental health service quality. Conclusions. Evidence-informed policy is a collaborative process. To potentially influence policy requires timely engagement with policymakers and an understanding of the policy context. Researchers considering using the model are encouraged to include a range of expertise.