Implementation Science and Equity

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT: OVERALL COBRE on Implementation Science & Equity 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. Moreover, rural, minority,

and other subpopulations experience even greater gaps in health care quality. 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) on Implementation Science and Equity seeks to establish a research center at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC). This COBRE will develop and test Implementation Science approaches designed to achieve equitable care for rural, minority, and other underserved populations.

The goal of this multidisciplinary research center in an Institutional Development Award (IDeA) state is to develop sustainable and generalizable approaches to reducing inequities in care. 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 five promising junior 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 and equity at KUMC. Aim 2. Provide core infrastructure in methodology, engagement, and ethical issues in research with human subjects, to support implementation research conducted by 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 care to underserved groups. The proposed COBRE will advance the field of implementation science by creating approaches to identifying

inequities, diagnosing causes, and testing solutions. Implementation Science and Equity COBRE leads, Drs. Kimber Richter and Christie Befort have strong track records in leadership, administration, and mentoring in implementation science—especially with minority investigators—to achieve research independence. Taken

together, the proposed COBRE will create a sustainable and growth-oriented program in implementation science that will have local, national, and international impact.