Translation to Practice (T3 Research)

Dissemination  •  Implementation

Our approach: Research

 

Ongoing improvement of cancer care requires a range of different forms of research: basic science, human clinical trials and practice-based research. Until 2006, the US National Institutes of Health translation research roadmap focused on research to translate basic research findings to humans (T1), and translation of human clinical studies to patients (T2). In 2007, the focus was broadened to include T3 research, the translation of evidence into routine practice, using implementation and dissemination research1. This model has been adopted by the Cancer Institute NSW.

The Centre will focus on T3 research. We will begin by using qualitative research methods to formally characterise the way cancer care is provided in south-east and south-west Sydney, and to identify factors that facilitate or impede implementation of evidence. What we learn will be used to design interventions to improve the spread of evidence and the speed of its adoption. At the same time, we will provide training to strengthen teamwork, develop a patient-centred implementation framework, and evaluate use of the online eviQ resource which develops standard treatment protocols for use by Australian cancer clinicians. Health system data will be used to assess the costs and impacts of variation in best practice care-provision, and to assess the cost-benefit of our interventions.

Reference:
1. Westfall JM, Mold J, Fagnan L. Practice-based research—“blue highways” on the nih roadmap. JAMA. 2007;297(4):403-406.

 

Our approach: Implementation

 

As we go through this process, we will regularly publish our methods and findings, to share what we learn with broader academic and clinical audiences, using our professional networks to aid dissemination. Sustainability will be achieved by nurturing the next generation of implementation scientists in oncology through our Training and Translation Laboratory, targeting new researchers to fill future leadership roles.