Abstract
Background/Aims 2013 is the fifth year for the Cancer Research Network’s (CRN) only funded research center, the Cancer Communication Research Center (CCRC), an NCI-designated Center of Excellence in Cancer Communication Research (CECCR). This CRN center has sister centers at the University of Pennsylvania, University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin, and Washington University in St. Louis. An emphasis of the CRN center has been the application and study of dissemination and implementation (D&I) concepts in relation to external validity tests of interventions, spread of evidence-based interventions, and best practices for high-quality implementation. Now, with the funding of CRN4 (years 16–20), leadership for defining the future orientation to D&I research may be assumed by the CRN4 scientific working group charged with D&I research.
Methods I pose several questions about future D&I research within the Cancer Research Network. Which aspects of dissemination study most deserve attention, and why? What have we learned about implementation research and practice in the CCRC and in the CRN? What D&I study questions do we not need to ask? How is the larger scholarship of D&I most applicable to the CRN context as we go forward?
Results New types of data are suggested as objects for baseline measurement across CRN institutions; a recommendation that implementation research be clearly distinguished as consisting of two types is made; greater emphasis is called for to study the sustainability of effective practices and programs by identifying key outputs and outcomes that constitute sustainability. Lastly, a research agenda is proposed that lists key topics for study concerning dissemination, implementation, and sustainability for the CRN.
Conclusions Federal attention to issues of dissemination and implementation research in health is rapidly escalating. The new Cancer Research Network 4 has the opportunity to lead the nation in demonstrating innovative and effective approaches to the study of D&I. Expertise for this research expertise will be a primary legacy of the Cancer Communication Research Center.
