Frequently Asked Questions

Implementation science is a method to apply evidence-based research outcomes into real-world settings. Instead of just asking “what works?”, implementation science asks, “how do we make this work in everyday practice?” It also considers the broader context of people’s needs, environments, and challenges to assure meaningful, lasting impact for the public.

Many science-backed recommendations, particularly in healthcare, fail to have large-scale positive impact because they are not effectively integrated into care systems. Implementation science helps bridge this gap so more people can benefit from what already works.

PRISMA is actively applying implementation science methods to integrate genetics into neuropsychiatric clinical care, ensuring that everyone with a diagnosis of autism, global developmental delay, or intellectual disability can benefit from established standard-of-care recommendations. PRISMA works systematically with local communities, patients, healthcare practitioners, clinics, and the broader provincial systems to identify ways to improve access and gain useful knowledge about genetic testing to guide individual neuropsychiatric care.  PRISMA seeks to understand people’s needs and challenges while incorporating feedback in real-world settings to ensure that crucial clinical information is accessible to all.

A key part of implementation science is listening to the people directly involved. Patient and community perspectives are integral to PRISMA’s process of understanding healthcare systems.  PRISMA prioritizes collaboration and seeks direct community feedback through research surveys, advocacy group engagement and community liaisons, and ongoing input from individuals directly.

A key part of implementation science is listening to the people directly involved. Patient and community perspectives are integral to PRISMA’s process of understanding healthcare systems.  PRISMA prioritizes collaboration and seeks direct community feedback through research surveys, advocacy group engagement and community liaisons, and ongoing input from individuals directly.

By focusing on real-world use and input from various constituents, PRISMA can: -       Understand the perspectives of individuals and communities as well as how they fit into the broader healthcare system. -       Support providers in delivering standard-of-care services. -       Help more people benefit from evidence-based healthcare recommendations. -       Avoid inefficient or counterproductive approaches. -       Develop solutions that are effective and sustainable over time. -       Continuously listen and learn to make our work better and more relevant.