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Am J Perinatol 2021; 38(07): 643-648
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1721728
SMFM Fellowship Series Article

Implementation Science is Imperative to the Optimization of Obstetric Care

Rebecca F. Hamm 
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal and Child Health Research Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
,
Brian K. Iriye
2   High Risk Pregnancy Center, Las Vegas, Nevada
,
Sindhu K. Srinivas
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal and Child Health Research Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
› Author Affiliations Funding The study received its financial support from T32 Training Grant in Reproductive Epidemiology (T32-HD007440).
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Abstract

In an effort aimed at improving outcomes, obstetric teams have enacted comprehensive care bundles and other clinical tools. Yet, these practices have had limited degrees of success on a national scale. Implementation science aims to bridge the divide between the development of evidence-based interventions and their real-world utilization. This emerging field takes into account key stakeholders at the clinician, institution, and health policy levels. Implementation science evaluates how well an intervention is or can be delivered, to whom, in which context, and how it may be up-scaled and sustained. Other medical disciplines have embraced these concepts with success. The frameworks and theories of implementation science can and should be incorporated into both obstetric research and practice. By doing so, we can increase widespread and timely adoption of evidence and further our common goal of decreasing maternal morbidity and mortality.

Key Points

  • Evidence-based practices have been implemented in obstetrics with variable success.

  • Implementation science aims to bridge the divide between the development of evidence-based interventions and their real-world utilization.

  • The methodologies of implementation science may be helpful to obstetric research and practice.

Keywords

obstetrics - implementation science - evidence-based practices - maternal morbidity


Publication History

Received: 02 September 2020

Accepted: 04 November 2020

Article published online:
15 December 2020

© 2020. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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