From the outset the HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme has been committed to the use of research as a basis for understanding behaviour, assessing need, building on previous practice and promoting the use of evidence based practice and policy development. Research and policy is a key strand running through the work of the Crisis Pregnancy Programme.
 
The goal of the Crisis Pregnancy Programme’s Research and Policy Programme is to foster greater understanding of the contributory factors and solutions to crisis pregnancy at the individual, community, policy and societal level.

The Crisis Pregnancy Programme has developed a research and policy programme that aims to: a) fill knowledge and policy gaps in fields related to crisis pregnancy; b) identify ongoing needs with respect to evaluating the work of the Crisis Pregnancy Programme; c) monitor policy initiatives nationally and internationally; and d) establish effective protocols and methods of ensuring research and policy outputs are disseminated effectively.

The Crisis Pregnancy Programme utilises its website and e-newsletter as well as launches, research summaries, seminars and briefings to disseminate and make available its research. The Crisis Pregnancy Programme's dissemination network consists of practitioners, policy makers, researchers and members of the public.

The Agency has to date published 28 research reports; this includes three Irish Study of Sexual Health & Relationships Sub-Reports.  In 2008 the Crisis Pregnancy Programme published a set of guidelines: ‘Guidelines for Health Professionals working in maternity settings on the care of women with concealed pregnancy’. To read more about the Guidelines click here. To view the pdf click here. All research report are available for download Click here to visit the research summaries section of this website.

A range of leaflets have been developed to bring the latest research findings to key audiences in a concise, easy-to-read format. Research summaries highlight key findings for groups that play roles in crisis pregnancy prevention and support. The ‘Research Summary’ series is part of the Crisis Pregnancy Programme’s commitment to disseminating research findings in order to further develop an understanding of the issues surrounding crisis pregnancy.
All research reports are available for download, click here to visit the report section of the website