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Abstract
SLPs are familiar with evidence-based practice, but the implementation of evidence into practice continues to be difficult across all health and care professions, including ours. Implementation science (ImpSci) is a branch of science that focuses how we can encourage and improve this implementation. This commentary will introduce readers to ImpSci and where has it come from. We clarify the distinctive differences between ImpSci and both evidence-based practice (EBP) and quality improvement. We also reflect on how ImpSci addresses complementary and essential issues to our current evidence base of scientific and clinical research. ImpSci is beginning to have an impact within allied health, including research addressing implementation of evidence for speech, hearing, communication, and swallowing disorders. However, as a profession we heavily weigh our research towards demonstrating efficacy and the uptake of ImpSci methodologies has been slow. We argue for a more strategic and systematic adoption of ImpSci, to promote change in the clinical effectiveness, societal impact, and scientific reputation of SLP professional practice.
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Notes on contributors
Hazel Roddam
Dr Hazel Roddam 25 years’ Experience as a clinical SLP in UK, plus 15 years as an academic researcher. She currently works as an independent consultant for research and evaluation in allied health practice. Hazel has been commissioned by Health Education England to write a new research strategy for all 14 allied health disciplines, that will be published at the end of 2021.
Jemma Skeat
Jemma Lead of Clinical Programs and a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology. She has over 20 years of clinical and research experience focusing on evidence-based practice, outcome measurement and population health. Her current research and teaching interests include collaborative (interdisciplinary) practice, qualitative research, evidence-based practice and clinical learning.