Methodologies for the Living Well Strategy: Mental Health Commission of NSW Strategy 2014 – 2024

Introduction. Translating plans and policies into practice is challenging, requiring significant and sustained investment in appropriate implementation strategies. On average, it takes 17 years for 14% of evidence-based research to become routine healthcare practice. This requires focused effort, and the magnitude and nature of the work needed is often underestimated.
Policy makers need to assess the effectiveness and sustainability of an intervention in one context, how and whether it can be adapted elsewhere.
There is no single method that encompasses the full range of research and implementation approaches.
A note on terminology. There is much confusion and overlap in the terminology used to describe how knowledge is developed and incorporated into interventions (Appendix A) [7-10]. The terms theory, model, and framework are also used inconsistently [7]. The interchangeability of terms in the literature is a
global problem, with many different terms for similar processes. There is however, increasing convergence towards the term Implementation Science but Knowledge Translation is also used commonly in Australia.
Report outline. This document is a brief review of methodologies provided to inform effective implementation of the Living Well Strategy. It describes Knowledge Translation, Implementation Science, Realist Synthesis and Appreciative Inquiry processes. Other process improvement approaches are briefly covered in Appendix B. Since Living Well depends upon multiple complex systems, we start with a brief discussion on the complexities of systems.