Guest editorial

Abstract

Robinson are pleased to present a special issue for the Journal of Health Organization and Management, focussed on the theme Implementation Science to Practice in Healthcare Organization and Management. This conspectus of peer-reviewed research serves to broaden our understanding of implementation science from the standpoint of health organisation and management. By further reconciling both the theoretical and empirical knowledge derived from health organisation and management studies and that of implementation science, we hope to progress both areas of research and ultimately support the implementation of evidence-based innovations in healthcare.Implementation science to practice in healthcare organisation and management Implementation science has been defined as:the scientific study of methods to promote the systematic uptake of research findings and other evidence-based practices into routine practice, and, hence, to improve the quality and effectiveness of health services. (Eccles and Mittman, 2006).

How Can Implementation Science Improve the Care of Familial Hypercholesterolaemia?

“…The complexity of health care systems presents many challenges to changing clinical practice, such as ingrained professional and organisational cultures, which must be addressed across multiple levels (individuals, teams, organisations) [ 85 ••]. Implementation science offers a raft of methods to understand the nature of changes required to adopt guideline recommendations, categorise the barriers and facilitators to change, design implementation strategies to address challenges and monitor and evaluate benefits and unintended consequences [ 86 , 87 ].…”