Impact

Outputs

A research output can be considered as anything that enters the public domain. Outputs can be written, verbally presented, audio/visual or electronic. These can include the following:

• Publications (Journals, reports, books, manuals, guides, reviews etc)
• Presentations (Conference, websites, blogs, social media channels, podcasts, interviews etc)
• End-user engagement (Training of medical staff, healthcare guidelines, policy documents etc)
• Research tools (Databases, data analysis methods, computer modelling, data handling and control, outcome measures, medical assessments and mechanisms, new technology assays, cell lines etc)
• Intellectual property (Patents, copyright, trademarks, product branding etc)
• New technological/medical products (New and improved techniques, software, new diagnostic tools, clinical service design, disease management, clinical trials output etc)

Impact

Impact can be defined as the ultimate output of the project pathway, delivering a clear benefit to patients and/or practice within the NHS.

• Demonstrable contribution that research makes to society and the economy, of benefit to individuals, organisations and nations

Involve public contributors in the co-production of dissemination and impact plans. Describe the impacts you aim to achieve as a direct result of the project and those which are anticipated longer term. Impacts may include but are not restricted to - patient/service user, carer benefit; health and/or social care staff benefits; changes in NHS or care services (including efficiency savings); commercial return (which could contribute to economic growth); public wellbeing.

Short Term

• Research outcomes (see above)
• Dissemination and knowledge transfer
• Building research networks and data sharing

Mid Term

• Policy making
• Changes to clinical healthcare training, practice, or guidelines
• Networking and collaborative research between academia, clinicians and industry
• Evidence-based practice
• Quality of service delivery
• Cost-effectiveness
• Better use of resource/workforce

Long Term

You should consider how any smaller, more immediate effects may mature over time into larger scale or more significant effects, and the steps by which this may be achieved. As far as possible, indicate anticipated timescales for these benefits and a quantitative estimate of their scale.

• Cultural/social impact - Changes in the values, attitudes, beliefs and patterns of behaviour that benefit members of organisations, social groups or society
• Economic impact -  Monetary benefits arising from research, either in terms of money saved, costs avoided or increases in turnover, profit, funding or benefits
• Environmental impact - Benefits from research that the public derive from a healthy environment
• Impact on health and wellbeing - Research that leads to better outcomes for the health of individuals, social groups or public health, including saving lives and improving people’s quality of life. Also social aspects such as emotional, psychological and economic well-being, and measures of life satisfaction
• Policy influence and change - The contribution that research makes to new or amended laws, regulations or other policy mechanisms that enable them to meet a defined need or objective that delivers public benefit
• Technological developments – Research that leads to longer-term technological advancements that benefit the public and health and social care system

NIHR research outputs and publications guidance

RDS Impact Toolkit