Implementation and Evaluation research is the scientific inquiry into questions concerning implementation and the study of the methods to promote the uptake of research findings into routine healthcare in clinical, organisational, or policy contexts.

In health the implementation questions can be related to policies, programmes, or individual practices (collectively called interventions)’ (Peters et al, 2013. p1)

Most interventions in health are complex. Consideration must be given to the context and culture in which the intervention or innovation is being introduced. Will the intervention be adopted as intended?

There is often a gap between the research evidence and practice or policy in the real world of health care. Evidence-based practices inform when and how interventions and innovations interact with consumers and stakeholders, but it is the person (the practitioner) who delivers the intervention through his or her words and actions (Flixen et al, 2005 p44).

Implementation science in healthcare is an applied health science, which focuses on important problems and needs as defined by practitioners, managers, and policy makers in healthcare.

Our researchers seek to understand implementation problems and needs within real world healthcare.

We ask research questions such as

  • How best can research knowledge be translated into practice, programme, or policy in context?
  • How well has an evidence-based practice, programme, or policy (intervention), worked and for whom?
  • Are there barriers or facilitators to implementing the intervention?
  • What strategies or methods can be designed developed and applied to overcome barriers to implementation?
  • Has the intervention been adopted as intended?
  • How can the intervention be scaled up and sustained?

We use implementation science theories, models, and frameworks to work in collaboration with practitioners and policy makers to answer these implementation questions.

Group Lead: Professor Alice Coffey 

Group Members: Dr Maria Noonan, Dr Liz Kingston, Professor Pauline O’Reilly, Dr Owen Doody, Ms Mairead Moloney and Dr Cora Lunn.