The promise and challenges of dissemination and implementation research

Given the growing emphasis on dissemination and implementation as a means to increase the efficiency of the research enterprise, public policy, and the services with which we work, refining methods that facilitate translation and implementation are imperative. Bringing the dissemination and implementation research community to common understanding of answers to our overarching questions is a necessary step. Then we can more consistently answer the questions: How will we gather this information on effective interventions to form the evidence base? Will interventions be applicable to our setting? What methods should we use to decide what to disseminate or implement? Which strategies will give us the greatest impact on population health? What outcomes should be tracked to know if we are making progress? How long will it take to show progress, or when will it be observed? The methods outlined in this book will help in answering these and other important questions.