A scoping systematic review of implementation frameworks to effectively transition interventions into clinical practice in oncology, nuclear medicine and radiology

BackgroundClinical research studies have made significant strides globally requiring clear processes to transition research interventions into clinical practice. Theoretically, implementation of novel interventions require clear methods as part of a fit-for-purpose (FFP) framework comprising of effective adaptation processes in conjunction with practice policies. Implementation science (IS) based operational research (OR) is vital in global health as it addresses the know-how-do gap using a real-world setting to achieve best practices to sustain healthcare. Despite this, limited OR is available to evaluate and validate implementation frameworks for complex clinical specialties such as oncology, diagnostic radiology (DR), nuclear medicine (NM) and interventional radiology (IR). This is the first study to systematically review implementation frameworks including its validity and applicability in healthcare. MethodWe searched 17 databases including PubMed, Medline/OvidSP, Science Direct, PROSPERO, PRISMA, PubMed Health, Embase, EBSCOhost, SciELO, TRIP, ProQuest, Academic search complete, Ageline, Cochrane, Web-of-Science and BIOSIS using a comprehensive search strategy and MeSH indexing to review publications from January 1st 1980 to 31st March 2019 in English. We selected 20 publications as per the inclusion/exclusion criteria developed under a review protocol registered with PROSPERO (CRDG42019124020). FindingsThere were no publications indicating a validated framework or a specific system used to implement evidence based interventions (EBIs) within oncology, IR, NM and DR although there were generalized implementation processes, adaptation models and policies. Furthermore, validation studies were not conducted against these frameworks to review their applicability and viability in healthcare especially in the UK. InterpretationIt is evident there is a research implementation gap in healthcare and further research is required to establish a fit for purpose framework to cover multiple blind spots using a real-world (RW) setting. Current evidence also suggests, alignment of academic theories to healthcare including its applicability to various clinical specialties is needed.