The Health Foundation
Getting the most out of scientific databases with advanced impact evaluation
The Health Foundation is an independent charity committed to bringing about better health and healthcare for people in the UK. With the NHS in a state of crisis and the UK grappling with the worsening health of its population, the Foundation's evidence-based approach to influencing healthcare policy and practice becomes increasingly vital.
They commissioned me to showcase the potential of advanced evaluation techniques to demonstrate their impact, and to train members of their team to do these types of analyses internally. This project was structured across three complementary workstreams:
Conducting an in-depth evaluation of their publication portfolio using advanced bibliometric techniques, revealing how their research outputs evolved throughout the last two decades, mirroring their changing strategic priorities. This analysis went beyond standard database metrics to uncover detailed collaboration patterns, capacity to influence policy, and more.
Performing rapid landscape analyses of UK research in healthcare technology implementation, NHS productivity, and other areas, providing strategic insights to inform their programmes of work. These analyses employed bibliometric and thematic analyses to map the current state of evidence and identify potential gaps and opportunities.
Producing a tailored training programme for two staff members in some of these advanced analytical tools and techniques, including Power BI and VOSviewer, enabling them to independently conduct complex analyses on relevant datasets. This knowledge transfer focused on extracting maximum value from their existing scientific database subscription and applying key bibliometric concepts to generate actionable insights.
Stephanie Guest, member of the Research Team at The Health Foundation, said this: "Jorge’s analytical expertise helped us uncover insights about our historical research portfolio that we hadn't previously recognised. He was able to extract meaningful information from complex data while making the analysis process accessible to our team. The training sessions were clear, and tailored to our needs. They were a great introduction to the subject of bibliometric analyses and how to get the most out of research data, and we plan to use the learning in the future."
The timing of this project coincided with a pivotal moment in UK healthcare policy, as the new Labour government launched an independent investigation into the NHS that culminated in the Darzi report, while the declining health of working-age populations continued to make headlines. This context highlighted the crucial importance of the Health Foundation's evidence-based approach to influencing healthcare policy and practice.
I found it deeply interesting to witness firsthand the Health Foundation's thoughtful approach to improving population health through their research programme. Their commitment to producing robust research evidence to influence policy and practice is particularly crucial now, as the UK faces mounting challenges in population health and increasing pressure on health and care services. This project exemplified how technical expertise in research evaluation can support evidence-based decision making in healthcare. As the Health Foundation's team applies these new analytical capabilities to inform their strategic decisions, I hope this work contributes to their mission of improving the health of people across the UK.