Work

Process evaluation of the Rapid Evidence Support System Assessment (RESSA) methodology for health policy-making in Ireland

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background The Rapid Evidence Support System Assessment (RESSA), developed by the Global Commission on Evidence to Address Societal Challenges, assesses evidence-support infrastructures that facilitate evidence-informed policymaking. As evidence-informed policymaking gains prominence globally, systematic assessment of these systems is increasingly important. However, process evaluation of system-level methodologies remains limited, particularly within complex policy environments. This study reports an early-stage process evaluation of the RESSA methodology, conducted as an assessment of health policymaking in Ireland in collaboration with multiple stakeholders, including the Health Research Board, Evidence Synthesis Ireland, and Cochrane Ireland. Methods A qualitative process evaluation, incorporating a checklist-based fidelity assessment with quantitative elements, examined delivery fidelity, stakeholder acceptability, and experiences. Three participant groups were included: key informants from the Department of Health and affiliated organisations, members of the project oversight group, and the RESSA lead. Quantitative assessment of delivery fidelity compared RESSA activities against protocol specifications. Qualitative interviews explored acceptability using the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability, and stakeholder experiences were analysed thematically with triangulation across data sources. Reporting of the qualitative component followed the COREQ checklist, with transparent documentation of analytic decisions to enhance rigour. Quantitative reporting adhered to established methodological standards for descriptive analysis. Results The RESSA was delivered with high fidelity, exceeding predefined protocol benchmarks (> 85% adherence) and demonstrating strong stakeholder acceptability. Across findings, three cross-cutting factors were evident. Internal advocacy and governance structures shaped engagement, implementation success, and potential impact. Clear communication shaped stakeholder understanding, engagement, and potential impact over time, while relational dynamics were central to implementation success. Conclusions The RESSA methodology can be employed with high fidelity and strong stakeholder acceptability in complex policy environments such as health. Critical success factors include early institutional advocacy, clear communication strategies, and stakeholder relationship building. This process evaluation offers evidence-based recommendations for optimising future RESSA implementation, contributes to the literature on assessments of evidence-support systems and positions the RESSA as a relational approach within evidence-support infrastructures. These findings provide practical insights for adapting RESSA and similar assessment methodologies across different governmental and policy contexts.

Source: Health Research Policy and Systems

DOI: 10.1186/s12961-026-01533-x