Implementation Science is an area of knowledge with a multidisciplinary approach, which aims to transform scientific evidence into effective policies, programs and interventions in real scenarios. Implementation Science seeks to understand the reason behind some interventions working in certain contexts and, at the same time, failing in other situations, developing strategies to overcome barriers, identify facilitators and maximize results.

Through a multidisciplinary approach, it analyzes and optimizes the operationalization of policies and evidence based interventions in the real world, which contributes to improving the impact on the health of the population, reducing costs, increasing the quality of care and its efficiency, as well as reducing inequalities. This field of study plays a crucial role in facing complex challenges, promoting sustainability and the optimal use of available resources, essential for more equitable and resilient health systems.

Fundamental Components:

1. Adaptation of Interventions:

Interventions developed in controlled environments do not always work in the real world. Implementation Science identifies how to adapt these interventions to the cultural, social and economic needs of each community, focusing on their effectiveness.

2. Barriers and Facilitators:

Barriers include resistance to change, inadequate training and lack of resources. Facilitators can be diverse, such as community involvement, institutional support and adequate infrastructure.

3. Models, Frameworks and Strategies:

Models and frameworks guide implementation strategies, providing a basis for evaluating and adjusting practices over time.

4. Continuous Evaluation:

The implementation is not a single event, but a continuous and participated process. Monitoring and adjusting strategies ensures the effectiveness and sustainability of interventions in the face of contextual changes that always happen, especially in complex and extensive processes.

Why is it important?

• Reduce the gap between research and practice: Many scientific discoveries take years to be applied, limiting their impact.
• Promote sustainability and equity: Implementation Science ensures that interventions are sustainable and benefit the entire population, preventing them from reaching only specific groups, leaving out those who need it most and contributed to more inequalities.
• Optimize resources: Improves the efficiency of health systems, ensuring better results with the available resources.

The National School of Public Health of the NOVA University of Lisbon (NOVA NSPH) created this Knowledge Center to lead the application of Implementation Science in Portugal.

Mission:

• Improve the quality of health care;
• Optimize the use of resources;
• Contribute to the response to complex challenges in Public Health, such as chronic diseases, adherence to treatments and epidemic control.

Approach:

• Multidisciplinary: We bring together experts in public health, behavioral sciences, managers and policy makers.
• Collaboration: We work in partnership with national and international networks to promote the exchange of knowledge and experiences.
• Impact: All our initiatives are designed to generate tangible and sustainable health and social results.

The center operates in four main areas to ensure the application of evidence-based interventions:

1. Professional Training:

• Courses and Workshops: Training in key areas of Implementation Science, adapted to the needs of professionals and managers.
• Partnerships: Creation of educational programs in collaboration with health or other institutions, research and academia.

2. Technical-Scientific Consulting:

• Support for public and private institutions in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Implementation Science projects.

3. Dissemination of Knowledge:

• Sharing of resources, tools and educational content.
• Production of guidelines, position statements and policy briefs to support informed decisions.
• Regular communication of innovations and good practices on multiple platforms, such as events, newsletters and social networks.

4. Creation and Dynamization of the Portuguese Implementation Science Network:

• Promotion of the Portuguese Implementation Science Network, bringing together researchers, managers, health professionals, political decision-makers, patient associations and citizens.
• Permanent connection to international networks to promote the exchange of good practices, permanent updating and innovative approaches.

The center has several areas of knowledge transversal to the axes of action, namely:

• Strategies and Interventions in Implementation Science;
• Research and evaluation methodologies in Implementation Science;
• Models and Frameworks in Implementation Science;
• Stakeholder Involvement – Co-creation and Dynamic System Mapping;
• De-implementation;
• Application in hospital health contexts;
• Application in primary health care contexts;
• Application in social contexts and community contexts;
• Application to decision-making, health policies, guidelines.

The Portuguese Implementation Science Network is a Knowledge Center initiative that connects institutions, professional organizations and citizens around a common goal: to facilitate the implementation of evidence-based policies and practices.

Who Participates? Public and private health institutions; Municipalities and local communities; Academy and Research; Health professionals; Health care institutions; Managers and policy makers; Professional Associations; Civil society organizations.

This Network’s main mission is to promote Implementation Science in Portugal. It intends to connect people, groups, networks and organizations, enhancing the strengthening of skills and promoting collaboration and sharing of experiences and ways to integrate Implementation Science in the different contexts of action of network members. It also intends to strengthen the dissemination and translation of knowledge and evidence, in practices with impact and sustainability.

This Center also has the partnership of the Clinical Academic Centers.

Sónia Dias (Coordinator)

Marta Marques (Co-coordination)

E-mail: implementationscience_portugal@ensp.unl.pt