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An Implementation Science Laboratory as One Approach to Whole System Improvement: A Canadian Healthcare Perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Rachel Flynn

    (Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada)

  • Stephanie P. Brooks

    (Alberta SPOR SUPPORT Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2C8, Canada)

  • Denise Thomson

    (Alberta SPOR SUPPORT Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2C8, Canada)

  • Gabrielle L. Zimmermann

    (Alberta SPOR SUPPORT Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2C8, Canada
    Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6, Canada)

  • David Johnson

    (Alberta SPOR SUPPORT Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2C8, Canada
    Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB T2N 1S7, Canada)

  • Tracy Wasylak

    (Alberta SPOR SUPPORT Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2C8, Canada
    Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB T2N 1S7, Canada
    Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6, Canada)

Abstract

Implementation science (IS) has emerged as an integral component for evidence-based whole system improvement. IS studies the best methods to promote the systematic uptake of evidence-based interventions into routine practice to improve the quality and effectiveness of health service delivery and patient care. IS laboratories (IS labs) are one mechanism to integrate implementation science as an evidence-based approach to whole system improvement and to support a learning health system. This paper aims to examine if IS labs are a suitable approach to whole system improvement. We retrospectively analyzed an existing IS lab (Alberta, Canada’s Implementation Science Collaborative) to assess the potential of IS labs to perform as a whole system approach to improvement and to identify key activities and considerations for designing IS labs specifically to support learning health systems. Results from our evaluation show the extent to which IS labs support learning health systems through enabling infrastructures for system-wide improvement and research.

Suggested Citation

  • Rachel Flynn & Stephanie P. Brooks & Denise Thomson & Gabrielle L. Zimmermann & David Johnson & Tracy Wasylak, 2021. "An Implementation Science Laboratory as One Approach to Whole System Improvement: A Canadian Healthcare Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:23:p:12681-:d:692968
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Marie E. Ward & Ailish Daly & Martin McNamara & Suzanne Garvey & Sean Paul Teeling, 2022. "A Case Study of a Whole System Approach to Improvement in an Acute Hospital Setting," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-22, January.
    2. Martin McNamara & Marie Ward & Seán Paul Teeling, 2023. "Making a Sustainable Difference to People, Processes and Systems: Whole-Systems Approaches to Process Improvement in Health Systems," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(7), pages 1-5, March.

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