The Struggle of Translating Science into Action: Foundational Concepts of Implementation Science

Overview

Journal J Eval Clin Pract

Specialties General Medicine
Health Services

Date 2017 Apr 4

PMID 28371050

Citations 116

Authors

Frances Rapport

Robyn Clay-Williams

Kate Churruca

Patti Shih

Anne Hogden

Jeffrey Braithwaite

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Method: Implementation science models, theories, and frameworks are critiqued, and their value for laying the groundwork from which to implement a study's findings is emphasised. The paper highlights the challenges of turning research findings into practical outcomes that can be successfully implemented and the need for support from change agents, to ensure improvements to health care provision, health systems, and policy. The paper examines how researchers create implementation plans and what needs to be considered for study outputs to lead to sustainable interventions. This aspect needs clear planning, underpinned by appropriate theoretical paradigms that rigorously respond to a study's aims and objectives.

Conclusion: Researchers might benefit from a return to first principles in implementation science, whereby applications that result from research endeavours are both effective and readily disseminated and where interventions can be supported by appropriate health care personnel. These should be people specifically identified to promote change in service organisation, delivery, and policy that can be systematically evaluated over time, to ensure high-quality, long-term improvements to patients' health.

Citing Articles

The National Paediatric Applied Research Translation Initiative (N-PARTI): using implementation science to improve primary care for Australian children with asthma, type 1 diabetes, and infections.

Braithwaite J, Fisher G, Harrison R, Mumford V, Davis E, de Wet C BMC Health Serv Res. 2025; 25(1):383.

PMID: 40089760 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-025-12491-5.

Supporting partnerships in knowledge mobilization: what existing implementation strategies can tell us.

MacKenzie N, Chambers C, Birnie K, Jordan I, Cassidy C Res Involv Engagem. 2025; 11(1):23.

PMID: 40075498 PMC: 11900096. DOI: 10.1186/s40900-025-00688-1.

Development and usability testing of a multifaceted intervention to reduce low-value injury care.

Berube M, Lapierre A, Sykes M, Grimshaw J, Turgeon A, Lauzier F BMC Health Serv Res. 2025; 25(1):37.

PMID: 39773251 PMC: 11706146. DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-12153-y.

Development of an implementation intervention to promote adoption of the COMFORT clinical practice guideline for peripartum pain management: a qualitative study.

Sharif L, Cocroft S, Smith S, Benincasa C, Peahl A, Low L Implement Sci Commun. 2025; 6(1):1.

PMID: 39748382 PMC: 11697899. DOI: 10.1186/s43058-024-00687-5.

Adopting Public Health Genomics when the House Is on Fire: How Will We Navigate to 2030?.

Braithwaite J, Spanos S, Lamprell K, Vizheh M, Sheriff S, Fisher G Public Health Genomics. 2025; 28(1):53-65.

PMID: 39746335 PMC: 11844696. DOI: 10.1159/000543161.

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