Strengthening Implementation Science to Enhance and Accelerate Its Contributions to Improved Health

Brian Mittman, PhD
Kaiser Permanente

Alice Zhang, MD
Penn State Health

Berkeley Franz, PhD
Ohio University

ABSTRACT:
The field of implementation science has demonstrated significant progress and contributions in expanding the use of evidence-based practices in routine care settings during the past 4 decades. Yet leaders in the field have also issued important calls to action, highlighting the remaining challenges we face in fully achieving our mission to both achieve implementation goals and facilitate more rapid improvement in patient and population health. This presentation begins with a broad overview of innovations in research practices that are needed to enhance and accelerate the field’s impact followed by an in-depth discussion of two proposed changes: strengthening both stakeholder engagement and study follow-up planning.