Evaluating health research impact: Development and implementation of the Alberta innovates-health solutions impact framework

Abstract

Alberta Innovates-Health Solutions (AIHS) is a Canadian-based, publicly funded, not-for-profit, provincial health research and innovation organization mandated to improve health, the health system, and socioeconomic well-being of Albertans through health research and innovation. Investments in health research are substantial and funders face increasing pressure to measure the impact of their investments and demonstrate 'value for money'. However, measuring impact in this context is a challenge given the lack of agreement on a common approach or gold standard, diverse stakeholder interests, attribution issues, and time lags between investments and the realization of long-term impact. To address these issues and ideally optimize impact, AIHS developed and implemented an impact framework based on a model published by the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS). The purpose of this article is to: (1) describe the evolution of the framework's development and implementation; (2) summarize the results of tests undertaken to verify the suitability, feasibility, and applicability of the CAHS model to the AIHS context; and (3) present the AIHS framework, with discussion focused on the challenges of development and implementation, lessons learned and future plans for its ongoing development and implementation. © 2012 The Author.