title: Synchronizing Watches: The Challenge of Aligning Implementation Science and Public Systems.
abstract: This special issue of Administration and Policy in Mental Health explores the complexities of the outer system context in implementation science research. In this commentary, we highlight areas of asynchrony between implementation science research and policy realities of public systems. Timing is a critical factor for many aspects of system-level implementation including when and how evidence-based practice initiatives are launched, short and inconsistent timeframes for funding and support, need for early indicators of success and demonstrating return on investment. Greater consideration for the timing that drives change in public systems will strengthen efforts to implement and sustain EBPs in community settings.
authors: Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, Philadelphia, PA, USA. ronnie.rubin@phila.gov.|Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. ronnie.rubin@phila.gov.|Community Behavioral Health, 801 Market Street, 7th Floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA. ronnie.rubin@phila.gov.
authors: Ronnie M
authors: RM
authors: Rubin
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.|Community Care Behavioral Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors: Matthew O
authors: MO
authors: Hurford
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors: Trevor
authors: T
authors: Hadley
authors: Thomas Scattergood Behavioral Health Foundation, Philadelphia, PA, USA.|The Consultation Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors: Samantha
authors: S
authors: Matlin
authors: Community Behavioral Health, 801 Market Street, 7th Floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA.
authors: Shawna
authors: S
authors: Weaver
authors: Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, Philadelphia, PA, USA.|Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors: Arthur C
authors: AC
authors: Evans
mesh_terms: D018672:Community Health Planning; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans
keywords: Evidence-based practice; Implementation science; Policy; Public system