Policy Dissemination and Implementation Research

Abstract Policy dissemination research seeks to understand how research evidence can be most effectively communicated to policymakers and integrated into policymaking processes. These studies may aim to describe attributes of a population of policymakers, identify discrete audience segments of policymakers, test the effects of dissemination strategies, characterize the use of research evidence in policymaking, and identify factors associated with the diffusion of policies across jurisdictions. Policy implementation research seeks to understand how the rollout of policies can be optimized to maximize health benefits. Such studies may aim to describe the process through which a policy was implemented, assess stakeholders’ perceptions of implementation and appetite for implementation strategies, and determine the effect of a policy on implementation outcomes, the moderating effect of policy implementation outcomes on policy effectiveness outcomes, or the main effect of policy implementation strategies on policy implementation and/or effectiveness outcomes. The study of evidence-to-policy translation and policy implementation has a rich history but is still an emerging area in the field of dissemination and implementation (D&I) science in health. Developing policy D&I research is critical to maximizing the public health impact of the field of implementation science and also has potential to improve population health and enhance health equity. Policy-focused D&I research is also important to developing effective strategies to combat the effects of actors who seek to influence policies in ways that are diametrically opposed to the goals of public health and health equity.