The Use of Implementation Research Frameworks in Rehabilitation: A Scoping Review
Abstract
Implementation research focuses on the implementation of a specific method or innovation. Different kinds of implementation research frameworks are used to guide the implementation of scientific evidence and to explain the determinants and the process of implementation.
In this article we examine what kind of implementation research models and frameworks are used in rehabilitation research in different countries and what kind of study designs have been utilized. The article brings new information on the use of implementation frameworks in rehabilitation research.
The study was a scoping review. A systematic approach was used to search, select, and synthesize data. A literature search was conducted using electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, SCOPUS, ScienceDirect and SagePremier) from June 2021 to November 2021. Three researchers performed the data selection.
Data analysis was conducted as a descriptive content analysis. The following information was extracted from the data: year and country of publication, type of article, informants and implementation research frameworks and their number in each research. The extracted information was examined in relation to the frameworks and to each other.
The search yielded 1,579 studies. After removing the duplicates, we had 847 studies out of which 73 met the inclusion criteria. There is an increasing trend to conduct implementation research and to use theoretical frameworks. The qualitative and mixed-methods research designs were the most common. Eighteen different frameworks were used in the studies and the three most commonly used frameworks were: 1. The Knowledge-to- Action -framework 2. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and 3. Theoretical Domains Framework. More research is needed to establish how different frameworks apply to different purposes in rehabilitation research.
Authors
Hennariikka Heinijoki, Maarit Karhula, Riitta Seppänen-Järvelä
Additional Information
- Peer-Reviewed: yes.
- Open Access: no.
- Cite as: Heinijoki, H., Karhula, M., & Seppänen-Järvelä, R. (2023). Implementaatiotutkimuksen viitekehysten soveltaminen kuntoutuksen tutkimuksessa. Kartoittava kirjallisuuskatsaus. Sosiaalilääketieteellinen Aikakauslehti, 60(2). https://doi.org/10.23990/sa.120634
