Process Evaluation of a Rapid Evidence Support System Assessment of Ireland’s Department of Health – A Protocol

Background: The Rapid Evidence Support System Assessment (RESSA) was developed by the Global Evidence Commission to evaluate evidence support systems that inform policy decisions. These systems are designed to contextualise existing evidence, guide decision-making, and generate new insights to inform action. As evidence-informed policymaking gains traction globally, it is essential to evaluate these systems’ effectiveness. In Ireland, the Health Research Board, the Department of Health, Evidence Synthesis Ireland, Cochrane Ireland, and the Global Evidence Commission are collaborating to conduct a RESSA within the Department of Health. This process evaluation aims to assess the fidelity, acceptability, and experiences of stakeholders involved in the RESSA, providing insights for refining the methodology. Methods: The process evaluation will employ a mixed methods approach, integrating both qualitative and quantitative data collection. It will evaluate the conduct of a RESSA within the Department of Health. Fidelity assessment will examine adherence to the RESSA protocol, while acceptability will be evaluated using the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability, focusing on key stakeholders' attitudes. An exploration of the experiences of participants, capturing both facilitators and barriers to the RESSA’s success will also be conducted. Data analysis will involve thematic analysis and descriptive statistics, aiming to highlight the RESSA’s methodological strengths and areas for improvement. Conclusions: This evaluation is expected to provide critical insights into the strengths and limitations of the RESSA methodology, with implications for evidence-informed policymaking. Findings will offer recommendations to enhance the robustness and applicability of the RESSA in Ireland and beyond. Dissemination will include academic publications and reports, contributing to the broader understanding of effective evidence support systems. This process evaluation aims to inform future RESSAs and strengthen the evidence support framework, ensuring better-informed policy decisions at local, national, and international levels.