Application of Monash Centre for health research and implementation framework to the development of polycycstic ovary syndrome guideline: A case study on implementation

Implementation of healthcare guidelines, a set of recommendations aiming to optimize patient care, can be a complex process which is at risk of poor translation into practice. Failure to adopt new evidence-based healthcare findings can contribute to a large variation in care, potentially affecting outcomes for service users. Designed to avoid this issue, the Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation (MCHRI) knowledge translation framework was created to support the development and future implementation of clinical practice guidelines. The framework is distinguished by a focus on methodological rigor, stakeholder engagement, and partnership, leading to the coproduction of a guideline and research projects. In this article, we use the development of the International Evidence-based Guideline on the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (2018) as a case study to articulate the MCHRI knowledge translation framework. Specifically, this article discusses stakeholder engagement; development and codesign of evidence-based recommendations; implementation and knowledge generation; dissemination, translation, and scale up; and refinement/learning from evaluation. This case study demonstrates how hybrid frameworks, models, and theories for implementation, such as the MCHRI implementation framework, have their place in healthcare. The underlying principle that informs the framework is stakeholder engagement, including codesign, empowerment, and partnership.