Dissemination and implementation science for infection prevention: A primer.

Area of Science:

• Dissemination and Implementation Science (D&I)
• Healthcare Research Translation

Background:

• Many evidence-based infection prevention guidelines exist but are not consistently used in clinical practice.
• A significant gap exists between research evidence and its application in real-world healthcare settings.
• This evidence-to-practice gap negatively impacts patient health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an introductory overview of Dissemination and Implementation Science (D&I).
• To address key issues within D&I, including terminology, evidence appraisal, theoretical frameworks, and implementation strategies.
• To highlight the role of D&I in improving healthcare delivery and population health.

Main Methods:

• This article provides a conceptual overview of D&I science.
• It synthesizes information on core D&I concepts and challenges.
• Examples from infection prevention literature are used for illustration.

Main Results:

• D&I science offers a framework for understanding how to translate research into practice.
• It provides methods to expedite and sustain the integration of evidence into healthcare.
• Addressing D&I issues can improve the effectiveness of clinical practices and policies.

Conclusions:

• D&I science is crucial for closing the evidence-to-practice gap in healthcare.
• Systematic application of D&I principles can enhance the adoption of interventions and improve health outcomes.
• Further exploration of D&I theories, strategies, and future directions is warranted.