Understanding Implementation Research
In the recently published paper, "Understanding Implementation Research," Bob Mash, PhD, MBChB, from Stellenbosch University, and colleagues, who collaborated with Lisa Hirschhorn, MD, MPH, director, Ryan Family Center for Global Primary Care, Havey Institute for Global Health, to provide a clear and practical introduction to implementation research (IR) for researchers in primary health care and family medicine and to share how this discipline can help move forward the goals of effective primary care in many settings. The authors explain the concepts and use of implementation research frameworks and core concepts from identifying barriers and facilitators, the design of implementation strategies, and measuring key implementation outcomes such as acceptability, fidelity, and sustainability. The paper reflects the growth of the Stellenbosch University-Northwestern University partnership, and is designed to expand the knowledge and interest of frontline providers and researchers in primary care in the field of global implementation research.