aes19 International Evaluation Conference

Alison Laycock (University Centre for Rural Health), Gillian Harvey (The University of Adelaide), Nikki Percival (University of Technology Sydney), Frances Cunningham (Menzies School of Health Research), Jodie Bailie (University Centre for Rural Health), Veronica Matthews (University Centre for Rural Health), Kerry Copley (Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory), Louise Patel (Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory), Ross Bailie (University Centre for Rural Health)

Implementation science examines what methods and strategies work to promote the use of research findings and other evidence into routine practice, to improve the quality and effectiveness of health services and care. It explores, for example, how health interventions can be adapted and scaled in ways that are accessible and equitable to improve health. Implementation science can provide important knowledge for improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, however little research addresses how implementation theories or frameworks have been applied to evaluate projects and programs in Indigenous health.

Drawing on developmental evaluation data, we used the integrated Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (iPARIHS) framework to examine factors contributing to the success, or otherwise, of a large-scale interactive dissemination project. The project engaged stakeholders with continuous quality improvement data from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary health care services to co-produce knowledge for improving care.

In this presentation, we describe how we selected and applied this theoretical framework as an evaluation tool. We examine the extent to which use of the framework enhanced our understanding of project interactions, limitations and success in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health care context and influenced our ongoing work to improve health.