Translation Research in Practice: An Introduction

Translation science is a relatively young area of investigation that is rapidly growing. Although a number of healthcare practices have an evidence-base to guide care delivery, their use is not a part of routine practice. The gap between the availability of evidence-based practice (EBP) recommendations and application to improve patient care and population health is linked to poor health outcomes. Translation science, also known as implementation science, is testing implementation interventions to improve uptake and use of evidence to improve patient outcomes and population health. It also helps clarify what implementation strategies work for whom, in what settings, and why. This scientific field emerged to investigate which implementation strategies work to promote use of EBPs, and uncover the mechanisms by which they work. Advancements in translation science can expedite and sustain the successful integration of evidence in practice to improve care delivery, population health, and health outcomes. This article offers an introductory overview of translation science and addresses issues in this field of science such as variation in terminology; theories and models; implementation strategies; and context and implementation related to EBPs.