Implementation research in forensic mental health: a scoping review

Area of Science:

• Forensic Mental Health
• Implementation Science
• Criminal Justice Research

Background:

• Forensic mental health (FMH) bridges mental health and criminal justice systems.
• Implementation research in FMH faces multilevel challenges (sociopolitical, organizational, individual).
• These challenges hinder evidence-based intervention adoption and patient outcome improvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the current state of implementation research in FMH settings.
• To identify determinants, strategies, and outcomes of intervention implementation in FMH.
• To inform future FMH implementation research and practice.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review was conducted following Joanna Briggs Institute methodology.
• A comprehensive literature search across seven databases and Google Scholar was performed.
• Included studies were analyzed descriptively to explore implementation factors.

Main Results:

• 41 implementation studies were included, all from high-income countries.
• Interventions focused on risk assessment, rehabilitation, patient support, and technology.
• Key implementation determinants included individual motivation and inner setting factors like compatibility and information access.

Conclusions:

• There is a need for more rigorous implementation research in FMH.
• Multilevel strategies are crucial to overcome barriers and promote intervention success.
• Future research should integrate a health equity lens and improve reporting for replicability.