When you learn, teach, when you get, give. ~Maya Angelou
What Is Dissemination & Implementation Science ?
The purpose of dissemination and implementation (D&I) science research is to study the targeted distribution and integration of evidence-based practices in communities in a way that is feasible, acceptable, and useful to community members.
Dissemination is the active, intentional effort aimed to encourage specific groups to adopt a new evidence-based practice or clinical program
Implementation is the active, intentional effort to embed an evidence-based practice or clinical program within a community organization or service system (Greenhalgh et al., 2004).
Why Dissemination & Implementation Science Matters:
It takes 17 years to turn 14% of original research into services that are routinely provided in community service settings (Balas, 1998; Balas & Boren, 2000; Green et al., 2009)
This research-to-practice gap reduces the access and quality of community-based care. Traditionally, academic researchers have not been effective at disseminating knowledge about effective care, or in facilitating the adoption and sustained use of evidence-based care to policymakers, community leaders, providers, or community stakeholders.
This results in a limited return on investment for research dollars and communities who do not have access to the best available research evidence.
Why Dissemination & Implementation Science Matters In Flint:
D&I research is critical to the Flint community because it purposely helps the spread of evidence-based practices. The FCHES created the Dissemination and Implementation Science Core (DISC) to emphasize its commitment to reduce health disparities in the Flint community through the use of proven and effective methods.
The DISC objectives include:
- Research Dissemination to translate and widely communicate findings from FCHES research to stakeholders using planned, and targeted strategies. This includes spreading information to collaborators, communities, service providers, decision-makers, policymakers, consumers, and the public locally regionally and nationally.
- Conducting Dissemination and Implementation Research to produce useful and generalizable knowledge about what we have learned to further advance the field of D&I.
The DISC Team is made up of researchers, community stakeholders, and national leaders to disseminate and implement evidence-based practices into the Flint community, and we hope that this will help to improve the quality of life for Flint residents.