Implementation Research

Implementation research aims to understand how scientific evidence may be deployed and utilised to improve the quality and effectiveness of health services. It shares many similarities with knowledge translation; however, implementation research is mainly concerned with getting research findings into practice rather than policy.

• TDR, the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, is currently developing a massive open online course (MOOC) on implementation research. Click here for details.
• TDR Implementation Research Toolkit
• The journal Implementation Science which aims to publish research relevant to the scientific study of methods to promote the uptake of research findings into routine healthcare in clinical, organisational or policy contexts. The following articles may be of particular interest:
  • ‘Making sense of implementation theories, models and frameworks’ by Nilsen (2015).
  • ‘A checklist for identifying determinants of practice: a systematic review and synthesis of frameworks and taxonomies of factors that prevent or enable improvements in healthcare professional practice’ by Flottorp et al. (2013).
• The book ‘Models and Frameworks for Implementing Evidence-Based Practice: Linking Evidence to Action’ by Rycroft-Malone and Bucknall (2010, Wiley-Blackwell) looks at ways of implementing evidence gained through research and factors that influence successful implementation.
• The book ‘Improving Patient Care: The Implementation of Change in Health Care, 2nd Edition’ by Grol et al. (2013, Wiley-Blackwell) aims to help health professionals, managers, policy makers and researchers to assess new techniques and select and implement change in their organizations.
• The book ‘Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health’ by Brownson, Colditz, and Proctor (2012, Oxford University Press) addresses a number of key issues, including: how to evaluate the evidence base on effective interventions; which strategies will produce the greatest impact; how to design an appropriate study; and how to track a set of essential outcomes.
• Journal article: ‘The quality implementation framework: a synthesis of critical steps in the implementation process’ by Meyers, Durlak, and Wandersman (2012, Am J Community Psychol).
• Journal article: ‘Bridging research and practice: models for dissemination and implementation research’ by Tabak, Khoong, Chambers, and Brownson (2012, Am J Prev Med).
• Journal article: ‘Development of training for medicines-oriented policymakers to apply evidence’ by Colquhoun et al. (2016, Health Research Policy and Systems).