Revisiting Concepts of Evidence in Implementation Science

Ross Brownson, PhD
Washington University in St. Louis

ABSTRACT:
Evidence, in multiple forms, is a foundation of implementation research. For public health and clinical practice, evidence includes: Type 1 evidence on etiology and burden; Type 2 evidence on effectiveness of interventions; and Type 3: evidence on dissemination and implementation within context. Because current concepts of evidence have been relatively narrow and insufficient, this presentation will identify and discuss challenges and debates about the uses, usefulness, and gaps in evidence for implementation research. Intersecting gaps include the need to: (1) reconsider how the evidence base is determined, (2) improve understanding of contextual effects on implementation, (3) sharpen the focus on health equity in how we approach and build the evidence-base, and (4) learn from audience and stakeholder differences. Recommendations for enhancing the uses and usefulness of evidence will be presented.