The move to best-practice or evidence-based policy and service delivery has prompted the need for closer links between research, practice and policy sectors. However, there has been limited success in the integration of research into decision-making processes. Also, the research dissemination literature has focused on clinical care areas; the drivers and barriers to incorporation of research in health promotion efforts may be different. The integration of research findings into policy decisions, service delivery and health promotion efforts is a challenge in the hepatitis C and illicit drug use sector. This paper presents the authors' critical reflections using dissemination theory, evaluative processes and participant observation on two case studies of research dissemination attempts that will have implications for other fields. The literatures of research dissemination and organisational learning are used to discuss the impacts of two domains of research dissemination: process; and politics, policy and power. Careful analysis and planning of potential impacts in these domains may provide greater achievements in the incorporation of research into the decisions of health policy makers and service providers.