The NOVA National School of Public Health (NOVA NSPH) has just presented a new Knowledge Center in the field of Implementation Science and officially launched the Portuguese Implementation Science Network. These structures, pioneers in Portugal, aim to transform the way health policies, practices and innovations are applied, promoting greater efficiency in services and contributing to better health outcomes for populations.
One of the biggest challenges facing modern public health is the long gap between the production of scientific knowledge and its practical application. Scientific studies that prove the effectiveness of treatments, interventions and health policies often take many years before they are adopted and implemented by health systems, and the full benefit of what has been discovered is not realised.
‘Implementation Science plays a key role in transforming our health systems. By identifying the barriers and enabling actions that influence the adoption of evidence-based practices, we are empowering professionals, institutions and policy makers to make more informed and efficient decisions. NOVA NSPH is taking another decisive step to ensure that innovation is implemented more quickly and reaches the population, promoting more effective, equitable and sustainable healthcare throughout the country,’ says NOVA NSPH dean, Sónia Dias, who coordinates the Knowledge Center, which has Marta Marques as co-coordinator.
At the public event, which took place at NOVA NSPH, national and international speakers shared examples of the practical application of Implementation Science and the needs felt, namely in terms of identifying barriers and facilitators to integrating innovation into healthcare and developing strategies for its effective adoption.
Through a multidisciplinary approach, Implementation Science analyses and optimises the operationalisation of evidence-based policies and interventions in the real world, which contributes to improving the impact on the population’s health, reducing costs, increasing efficiency and reducing inequalities. This field of study plays a crucial role in tackling complex challenges, promoting sustainability and the optimised use of available resources, essential for more equitable and resilient health systems.
Examples of the application of Implementation Science:
- Adherence to and implementation of early cancer detection programmes: Implementation Science plays a key role in turning screening plans into effective actions. It makes it possible to identify barriers and actions that facilitate adherence to these programmes by different groups, such as vulnerable populations, without forgetting the needs of health professionals and health systems. Based on this analysis, it proposes practical strategies, developed together with all the stakeholders involved, which ensure that early detection programmes are effective in practice, optimising resources and responding to the specific needs of each context.
- Adoption of new health technologies: Implementation Science is crucial for integrating new technologies, such as mobile applications for reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular diseases, into health systems. It analyses barriers such as user adherence and acceptance by health professionals, proposing strategies to overcome challenges and adapt technologies to the context. It also makes it possible to assess crucial factors for implementing new technologies, such as their acceptance, adoption, cost, viability, market penetration and sustainability, ensuring that the technologies are viable and sustainable in real-life practice.
- Improving the user experience in healthcare systems: Implementation Science can help transform the user journey by identifying critical points or barriers to access, such as long waiting times or difficulties navigating the system. Based on these analyses, it proposes strategies to optimise flows, improve coordination between different levels of care and ensure that services are accessible and patient centred. It also continually evaluates the effectiveness of these strategies, considering indicators such as people’s satisfaction, adherence to treatment and operational efficiency.
With the launch of the Knowledge Center, NOVA NSPH aims to lead a national movement for the dissemination and implementation of current scientific evidence, innovation and good practices, with the goal of improving the health and well-being of all populations in Portugal. With this initiative, NOVA NSPH is also creating a collaborative and dynamic network with researchers, health professionals, policymakers and other stakeholders, fostering an environment of continuous learning and improvement. The network will endeavour to promote innovative practices based on scientific evidence, ensuring that they are applied quickly and effectively in both the health and social sectors. This network already has founding members such as Novartis.
Find out more about this project and the partners here.