title: Moving research tools into practice: the successes and challenges in promoting uptake of classification tools.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this paper, we present our experiences - both successes and challenges - in implementing evidence-based classification tools into clinical practice. We also make recommendations for others wanting to promote the uptake and application of new research-based assessment tools.
  
  
  METHODS
  We first describe classification systems and the benefits of using them in both research and practice. We then present a theoretical framework from Implementation Science to report strategies we have used to implement two research-based classification tools into practice. We also illustrate some of the challenges we have encountered by reporting results from an online survey investigating 58 Speech-language Pathologists' knowledge and use of the Communication Function Classification System (CFCS), a new tool to classify children's functional communication skills.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We offer recommendations for researchers wanting to promote the uptake of new tools in clinical practice. Specifically, we identify structural, organizational, innovation, practitioner, and patient-related factors that we recommend researchers address in the design of implementation interventions. Roles and responsibilities of both researchers and clinicians in making implementations science a success are presented. Implications for rehabilitation Promoting uptake of new and evidence-based tools into clinical practice is challenging. Implementation science can help researchers to close the knowledge-to-practice gap. Using concrete examples, we discuss our experiences in implementing evidence-based classification tools into practice within a theoretical framework. Recommendations are provided for researchers wanting to implement new tools in clinical practice. Implications for researchers and clinicians are presented.
authors.affiliation: a CanChild , McMaster University , Hamilton , Ontario , Canada.
authors.forename: Barbara Jane
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.affiliation: b Division of Communication Disorders, Health Science Center , University of Wyoming , Laramie , WY , USA.
authors.forename: Mary Jo Cooley
authors.initials: MJC
authors.lastname: Hidecker
authors.affiliation: c Graduate Department of Speech-Language Pathology Rehabilitation Sciences Building, Faculty of Medicine , University of Toronto , Toronto , Ontario , Canada.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Thomas-Stonell
authors.affiliation: a CanChild , McMaster University , Hamilton , Ontario , Canada.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rosenbaum
mesh_terms: D055317:Evidence-Based Practice / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D062069:Inventions / Q000145:classification*; D007806:Language Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation; D058996:Quality Improvement; D000066768:Rehabilitation Research / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends
keywords: Implementation science; children; classification tools; research-to-practice; speech-language pathology