ArticleBMJ global health2019
How is implementation research applied to advance health in low-income and middle-income countries?
Article in BMJ global health, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 92 papers, 4 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
92 citing papers in PubMed, 4 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Exploring the utilisation and effectiveness of implementation science strategies by cystic fibrosis registries for healthcare improvement: a systematic review.European respiratory review : an official journal of the European Respiratory Society · 2025Pooled it
- Quality improvement in public-private partnerships in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review.BMC health services research · 2024Pooled it
- Pooled it
- Implementation research on noncommunicable disease prevention and control interventions in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review.PLoS medicine · 2022Pooled it
- Mapping implementation science in Pakistan's health sector: a scoping review of frameworks, strategies, and implementation outcomes.Global health action · 2026Article
- Implementation and evaluation of a technical support center for the Research to Enhance the Adaptation and Implementation of Health Systems Guidelines in LMICs [RAISE] initiative.Health research policy and systems · 2026Article
- What makes embedded implementation research work? A multicountry synthesis of UNICEF-supported initiatives in low- and middle-income countries.Journal of global health · 2026Article
- Understanding implementation contexts and determinants of e-learning for global health security competency-based training in LMICs.npj health systems · 2026Article
- Bridging policy and practice: a scoping review of health system implementation research practice in Ethiopia.Implementation science communications · 2026Review
- Evaluating implementation of the HEARTS model for management of hypertension and diabetes in Guatemala: protocol for a prospective observational hybrid type 3 study.Implementation science communications · 2026Article
- Reflections on a global partnership for perinatal quality improvement in Rwanda.BMJ paediatrics open · 2026Review
- Strategies to integrate non-communicable disease interventions in HIV and tuberculosis care contexts in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review.BMJ global health · 2026Article
- Integrating systems and implementation science in modeling and evaluating complex health interventions: methodological reflections from service delivery redesign in Kakamega, Kenya.Health policy and planning · 2026Article
- Participatory system dynamics modeling: advancing equity through contextualized implementation science in global health.BMC global and public health · 2026Review
- Cultural adaptations made to existing implementation science theories, models, frameworks, or outcomes: a scoping review.Translational behavioral medicine · 2026Article
- Dissemination and Implementation Theories, Models, or Frameworks Utilized in International Aging Research: A Citation Analysis.Global implementation research and applications · 2026Review
- Bridging implementation science and policy change: a Global South perspective.Frontiers in health services · 2026Review
- Utilization of Lung Cancer Registries in Learning Health Systems for Health Care Improvement.JCO clinical cancer informatics · 2025Review
- 'Knowing how the machine works': a novel framework for engaging with the political determinants of health.BMJ global health · 2025Article
- Adaptations to implementation frameworks for minority ethnic groups to improve health equity: systematic scoping review.BJPsych open · 2025Review
32 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
This paper examines the characteristics of implementation research (IR) efforts in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) by describing how key IR principles and concepts have been used in published health research in LMICs between 1998 and 2016, with focus on how to better apply these principles and concepts to support large-scale impact of health interventions in LMICs. There is a stark discrepancy between principles of IR and what has been published. Most IR studies have been conducted under conditions where the researchers have considerable influence over implementation and with extra resources, rather than in 'real world' conditions. IR researchers tend to focus on research questions that test a proof of concept, such as whether a new intervention is feasible or can improve implementation. They also tend to use traditional fixed research designs, yet the usual conditions for managing programmes demand continuous learning and change. More IR in LMICs should be conducted under usual management conditions, employ pragmatic research paradigm and address critical implementation issues such as scale-up and sustainability of evidence-informed interventions. This paper describes some positive examples that address these concerns and identifies how better reporting of IR studies in LMICs would include more complete descriptions of strategies, contexts, concepts, methods and outcomes of IR activities. This will help practitioners, policy-makers and other researchers to better learn how to implement large-scale change in their own settings.
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Registered trials
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