Research assessment in a National Health Service organisation: a process for learning and accountability

Abstract

This paper describes the only known research assessment exercise to be undertaken by a health board. There is a growing imperative to evidence the impact of national health services, but no formal mechanism exists to quality-rate research or assess its effect on practice. This study describes how one healthcare organisation adapted a research impact framework along with impact dimensions and impact indicators to better identify research outcomes and account for research funding.<br />We know that research findings rarely impact on practice in a linear manner, that their effects are difficult to measure, and that they need adaptation within practice and professional contexts before use. We found that while links to practice and professional settings within our health board were strong, researchers tended not to plan for specific outcomes or impacts at project conception. Hence, although influence on practice and policy did occur, this seemed to be the result of extempore processes. This is despite an increasing emphasis in the health service on accountability in an era of severe financial constraint. Most of our successful research outcomes arose when researchers engaged in active dissemination with different audiences including end users and opinion/senior leaders.<br />The findings of this research assessment are helping us to better consider dissemination and knowledge translation strategies at the outset of projects. Being able to evidence specific research outcomes to senior managers and board members is enabling us to continue our modest investment in health services research.<br />key messages<br /><ol><li>The ‘impact agenda’ dominates public policy in the UK</li><br /><li>Research must account for its support but in health boards there is no external, formal quality-rating process</li><br /><li>We conducted an assessment of a selection of our research to establish that our projects are achieving a wide range of benefits</li><br /><li>Research assessment provided organisational learning and helped to demonstrate accountability</li></ol>