Navigating the Translation and Dissemination of PHSSR Findings: A Decision Guide for Researchers
The guide is based on a presentation by Lisa Simpson, Shoshanna Sofaer, and Margo Edmunds at the 2013 PHSSR Keeneland Conference in Lexington, KY
The U.S. health system is undergoing a critically transformative process. The public health community acknowledges this unique opportunity—the chance to be leaders, or ‘chief health strategists,’ in guiding the development of a new health system that supports prevention and community-based approaches to health. Yet there certainly is no clarity with regard to the role of public health in this rapidly evolving health care environment, and specifically the role of governmental public health agencies. The emerging field of public health services and systems research (PHSSR) has the potential to inform this health system transformation—it studies the impact of different approaches to organizing, delivering, and paying for public health services and examines strategies for improving the quality and performance of the U.S. public health system.
This guide provides case studies, key crosscutting themes, and resources for researchers to use to ensure that their findings are relevant, usable, and easily accessible. Although the decision steps are presented sequentially, note that the process is cyclical and the steps may need to be re-visited. For example, as a study progresses, the conclusions may become appropriate for a different audience than originally identified. This may require a new translational framework and alternative dissemination methods.