Applying implementation science to infectious disease emergency preparedness and response

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Infectious disease outbreaks, such as MERS-like viruses, pose significant emergency and disaster risks.
• General emergency preparedness is insufficient for unique infectious disease crises and evolving public health emergencies.
• Lessons from COVID-19 highlight the need for specialized planning and response strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide guidance for healthcare leaders on planning and responding to infectious disease emergencies.
• To leverage implementation science knowledge and lessons from past outbreaks for improved preparedness.
• To offer accessible resources for enhancing operational actions during infectious disease disaster scenarios.

Main Methods:

• This narrative review synthesizes implementation science principles.
• It incorporates lessons learned from COVID-19 and other infectious disease emergencies.
• Guidance is tailored for healthcare service delivery leaders at various system levels.

Main Results:

• Implementation science offers frameworks for interventions, adaptation, iteration, and coordination.
• Utilizing behavior and organization change models is crucial for effective response.
• The review provides researchers with frameworks for studying intervention implementation in outbreaks.

Conclusions:

• Enhanced preparedness and operational response are critical for infectious disease emergencies.
• Implementation science provides a valuable framework for improving healthcare system readiness.
• Targeted research and strategic planning are essential to mitigate the impact of future outbreaks.