More often than not, health policy must pursue multiple, not necessarily mutually consistent goals. Effectiveness, quality and safety of care; efficiency in the use of financial and professional resources; equity in access to services and their financing. All backed by sufficient political support.

Within this multifaceted framework-and often populated by numerous stakeholders-CPPS can produce evidence useful in the formulation of health policy by the cantonal administration, umbrella organizations, associations, etc. Such evidence may be based on reviews of scientific literature or on the collection of primary data, either quantitative (e.g., through surveys) or qualitative (e.g., through interviews or focus groups) in nature.

​​​​​​​The CPPS can produce policy briefs or, for example by conducting stakeholder dialogues, can facilitate discussions between even very different actors and viewpoints. The aim is to adequately inform the various actors and, possibly, to foster dialogue and mutual understanding so that shared and effective health policies can be established.

The CPPS can also produce evaluations of pilot projects or policies that have already been adopted. Evaluations can cover a wide range of areas covered by health policies, such as the organization of services at the regional level, the quality of services provided, financing and reimbursement mechanisms, the adequacy of health personnel allocations and composition, etc. The dimensions of evaluation may concern effectiveness, efficiency or equity. The steps may concern policy formulation, their acceptance and adoption by different stakeholders, and the short- and long-term impact of such policies.