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PLATFORM

Flying birds over a green field at sunset

PLATFORM


Pregnancy Loss knowledge trAnslaTion FOR iMpact

What was the PLATFORM project about?

The PLATFORM Project: Pregnancy Loss knowledge trAnslaTion FOR iMpact

The PLATFORM Project aimed to enhance the translation of pregnancy loss research into policy and practice. It focused on all types of pregnancy and infant loss (including first trimester miscarriage, second trimester miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, stillbirth, termination of pregnancy, neonatal death and pregnancy after loss), and research that seeks to prevent pregnancy loss and improve health care (quality) and health and social outcomes for women, babies and their families.

What was involved?

PLATFORM brought researchers, key civil society partners and other knowledge users – including parent advocates – together to:

  • Identify barriers and facilitators to knowledge translation relating to pregnancy loss
  • Develop activities and outputs in an effort to address the decades-long lack of progress in implementing change at policy and practice levels.

PLATFORM aimed to contribute to:

  • Enhancing Irish public and policymaker awareness of pregnancy loss
  • The provision of more effective services/supports within the health care system, community sector, and beyond
  • Influencing policymaking and healthcare funding.

Who was involved?

PLATFORM was undertaken by Pregnancy Loss Research Group, led by Professor Keelin O’Donoghue and Marita Hennessy PhD, in partnership with the Irish Hospice Foundation - represented by Dr Amanda Roberts (Bereavement Development Officer) and Avril Easton (Advocacy Manager).

Dissemination activities

Journal articles

  • Hennessy M, O'Donoghue K. Bridging the gap between pregnancy loss research and policy and practice: Insights from a qualitative survey with knowledge users. Health Research Policy and Systems. 2024;22(15):1-14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-024-01103-z
  • Thomas SL, Pitt H, McCarthy S, Arnot G, Hennessy M. Methodological and practical guidance for designing and conducting online qualitative surveys in public health. Health Promotion International. 2024;39(3):daae061. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daae061.

Press releases

Newspaper/Magazine articles

Radio interview

Newsletter item

Photo gallery | Website launch 03 May 2023

Project status

Completed: December 2021 to July 2023

Further information

Please email: 

Funder and partner

PLATFORM was funded by the Irish Research Council through its New Foundations Awards and was undertaken in partnership with the Irish Hospice Foundation.

Pregnancy Loss Research Group

Pregnancy Loss Research Group, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University College Cork, Fifth Floor, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Wilton, Cork, T12 YE02, Ireland,

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