Lessons from exploring a population health approach in clinical design in the Irish health service

Abstract In Ireland, the need to re-orient health services towards a population health approach has been articulated in the Irish policy vision and as part of ongoing health service reform. There is, however, no national or international consensus definition for such an approach. In this context, this project applied the lens of a population health approach to clinical design in the Irish health service (HSE), by exploring the alignment of national clinical programmes (NCPs) with this approach. This 2024 project had two objectives. Project-specific definitions and principles of a population health approach were developed through a rapid literature review, theme identification and discussion. A mixed-methods exploration of current alignment with a population health approach was then undertaken, through desktop reviews and semi-structured interviews with a purposively selected sample of NCPs, and a survey of all NCPs. Eight population health approach principles were identified: a population perspective, prevention, equity, determinants of health, partnership and community engagement, environmental sustainability, integration of care, and evidence and measurement for improvement. The project identified an evolving understanding of and alignment with a population health approach across the NCPs, with opportunities to build on. It also highlighted that a national consensus definition and principles for a population health approach is essential to provide a common understanding for all working to improve population health. This project highlighted that a national consensus for a population health approach is a gap that must be filled. It also represents a starting point to inform how best to enable a population health approach in clinical design in future. Collectively, the learning from this project may be informative to other countries similarly exploring how to bring the broader perspective of a population health approach to the design and delivery of health services. Key messages • A national consensus definition and principles for a population health approach is essential to support cohesive efforts to improve population health. • Leadership, collaboration and guidance are crucial to support embedding and enabling consistency in a population health approach across health services.