Is there a science to facilitate implementation of evidence-based practices and programs?

Abstract

Funding agencies, such as National Institutes of Health and the Institute of Education Science have recognized the need to improve the uptake of empirically supported practices into everyday service delivery in real-world settings. Implementation Science is a new discipline that seeks to remedy this problem through careful investigation using traditional and new research methods. We begin this Special Issue on Implementation Science with some of the definitions forwarded to help us understand the distinction among different types of research that are fundamental to Implementation Science. This introductory article discusses some of the traditional assumptions that have been called into question by this new discipline. We then outline some of the highlights of the four subsequent articles in this issue. The final section of this paper summarizes some of the ideas that are likely to shape the future of research that promises to advance evidence-based communication intervention practices.