Kansas Center for Implementation Science

Shrinking the time lag for translating research evidence into clinical practice would improve health outcomes across multiple domains and reduce costs to society. Until recently, however, clinical research has devoted little attention to implementing evidence-based practices in real-world clinical care. Implementation science is an emerging field of research that specifically focuses on identifying the best approaches to integrating evidence-based practices into routine clinical care. Our proposal for a Phase I Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) seeks to establish the Kansas Center for Implementation Science at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC). This Center will develop and test implementation science approaches designed to improve health care. The goal of this multidisciplinary research center in an Institutional Development Award (IDeA) state is to develop sustainable and generalizable approaches to improving health outcomes. The Administrative Core includes an internal advisory committee, an external advisory committee, strong institutional support, and substantial financial and in-kind contributions from all schools and major centers across KUMC. The proposed COBRE will consist of three research cores, which will provide unique services for building institutional capacity in implementation science and will mentor promising junior research project leaders. Our overall specific aims are to: Aim 1. Create and sustain an organizational structure to provide scientific mentoring and institutional support for implementation science at KUMC. Aim 2. Provide core infrastructure in methodology, engagement, and ethical issues in research with human subjects, to support implementation research conducted by Research Project Leaders and the broader KUMC community. Aim 3. Select and train outstanding, multi-disciplinary, senior and early-career faculty who will develop implementation science approaches for delivering high-quality health care. The proposed Kansas Center for Implementation Science will advance the field of implementation science by creating approaches to identifying gaps in health care quality, diagnosing causes, and testing solutions. COBRE lead Dr. Christie Befort has a strong track record in leadership, administration, and mentoring in implementation science to achieve research independence. The proposed COBRE will create a sustainable and growth-oriented program in implementation science that will have local and national impact.