Implementation Science Research in Communication Sciences and Disorders: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to complete a scoping review of implementation science (IS) research in communication sciences and disorders (CSD) over time and to determine characteristics of IS research in CSD. Method: A scoping review was conducted of PubMed and Education Resources Information Center for sources published in English that (a) included CSD practitioners, (b) addressed IS research, and (c) identified a specific evidence-based practice. Resulting sources were systematically examined for study aim, patient populations, implementation framework utilized, setting of the study, implementation strategy examined, and implementation outcome measured. Results: The majority of the 82 studies that underwent a full-text review (80.5%) were published in 2014 or later. One fourth of the studies were concept papers, and another one fourth focused on context assessment (25.6% of studies, each), 11% focused on designing implementation strategies, and 36.6% focused on testing implementation strategies. The patient population most frequently represented aphasia (21.3%), and most studies (34.4%) were conducted in inpatient medical settings. Nearly half (42.6%) of the nonconcept studies lacked an IS framework. Among implementation strategies identified, approximately one third of studies focused on education and/or training plus another strategy and one fourth focused on education and/or training alone. Implementation outcomes measured typically represented early stages of implementation. Conclusions: This scoping review of IS research in CSD described the landscape of IS studies in CSD. IS is intersecting with CSD at a rapid rate, especially since 2014. Future IS research in CSD should adopt an implementation framework a priori and consider the broad range of implementation strategies and outcomes to support the uptake of research into typical practice settings.

Community-based adult hearing care provided by community healthcare workers using mHealth technologies

“…One possible focus area is implementation which explores the possibility of implementing an intervention as planned in an uncontrolled manner [ 36 , 37 ]. This study used an implementation science approach for designing and evaluating the outcome of the CBR-based hearing aid service-delivery model [ 34 ]. A quantitative approach with illustrative open-ended questions was utilised to collect and analyse data.…”

“…Despite validation research for hearing aid service-delivery components using mHealth technologies, there is minimal evidence for service-delivery models implemented to improve community-based hearing care, including screening through to treatment [ 34 , 35 ]. Implementation science provides a valuable research framework to incorporate evidence-based practice into current standard practice [ 34 ]. Implementation science aims to examine several outcomes in audiology research, including acceptability, feasibility, and sustainability [ 35 ].…”

Understanding capacity for implementing new interventions: A qualitative study of speech and language therapy services for children with speech sound disorder*

“…We suggest that this approach allowed us to explore the implementation relationship between interventions, therapists and services, thus moving away from the limitations identified by Douglas et al (2022). We have identified practical implementation strategies that go beyond education and training, that target a whole staff group rather than individual practice change, and that address organizational facilitators and barriers.…”

Optimizing our evidence map for cognitive–communication interventions: How it can guide us to better outcomes for adults living with acquired brain injury

“…Implementation science recommends evaluating barriers to implementation proactively, and tailoring implementation strategies to the specific type of barriers identified (Graham et al, 2006, Douglas et al, 2021. We sought to examine common barriers to the provision of evidence-based cognitive-communication interventions and to consider the potential a knowledge tool might have in addressing them.…”

“…S.M. developed this coding framework based on a review of the implementation science literature as described in step 1 (Damschroeder et al, 2015;Hadley et al, 2015;Graham et al, 2006;Douglas et al, 2021;Waltz et al, 2019). Both authors then reviewed and revised the coding framework by discussing exemplar barriers and facilitators.…”