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BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
Implementation research has been defined as "the scientific study of methods to promote the systematic uptake of research findings and other evidence-based practices into routine practice, and, hence, to improve the quality and effectiveness of health services and care." VA conducts a rich portfolio of implementation research studies through the Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI) and other programs. The field of implementation research is relatively new and is rapidly developing. Implementation researchers face significant challenges in trying to design and conduct studies that produce significant results in terms of improved quality and performance and in terms of valid, significant insights and contributions to knowledge. Implementation practice is similarly challenged by the considerable and complex barriers to improvement and change in healthcare delivery systems, the complex and highly variable patterns of response to implementation programs and interventions, and the lack of consensus regarding appropriate methods for planning, conducting and reporting implementation projects and studies.
OBJECTIVE(S):
The overall goal of the VA Center for Implementation Practice and Research Support (CIPRS), a new VA HSR&D Resource Center, is to support and contribute to accelerated improvement in the quality and performance of the VA healthcare delivery system and, hence, in the health and quality of life of veterans by supporting improvement in the capacity, performance and impact of QUERI and other VA implementation research and implementation practice activities. CIPRS will also strengthen VA's national and international leadership and contributions to implementation research and practice.
METHODS:
CIPRS will conduct a multi-component program of education, technical assistance, consultation and theory- and methods-development activities. Educational activities will include cyber seminars and courses, conference sessions and workshops. Technical assistance and consultation will be provided via email and telephone to VA implementation researchers and to VA operations staff involved in implementation projects (including clinical and administrative leaders at the national, regional and local/facility levels). Theory- and methods-development activities will rely on literature reviews, consensus/expert panel methods, simulation studies and other approaches to catalogue and assess theoretical and conceptual frameworks for implementation research and to identify and develop guidance in the use of novel and improved methods for studying implementation processes and programs. Formal needs assessment and evaluation methods will be employed to provide ongoing guidance and feedback to refine and improve CIPRS activities and programs.
FINDINGS/RESULTS:
CIPRS is newly-launched and has not yet produced findings or impacts.
IMPACT:
CIPRS is expected to contribute to improvements in the quality and performance of VA healthcare and, hence, in veteran health and quality of life, by supporting, strengthening and expanding VA's capacity and performance in (a) implementation research and (b) implementation practice. Implementation research and practice in VA are core elements of VA's strategy to improve healthcare quality and performance. By strengthening and expanding VA implementation research, the resource center will enhance the value and effectiveness of this research in generating valuable insights and knowledge and in contributing to improvements in healthcare delivery. By supporting and strengthening VA implementation practice, CIPRS will contribute directly to improvements in VA healthcare delivery and in veteran health and quality of life.
PUBLICATIONS:
None at this time.
DRA:
Health Services and Systems
DRE:
none
Keywords:
none
MeSH Terms:
none
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