Implementation Science Success Stories: Military Health System Edition 

Before healthcare professionals can do their work, scientists and researchers must do theirs, developing innovative vaccines, drugs, procedures and technologies. Implementation scientists act as crucial intermediaries that translate their proposed, evidence-based interventions from research and theory to real-world settings.  

The specialization of implementation science aims to improve health outcomes for patients and create safer, more efficient operations for providers. It typically involves a five-step process: 

1. Evaluate the issue  

2. Choose appropriate evidence-based intervention  

3. Modify interventions as necessary  

4. Observe and assess  

5. Expand implementation of successful interventions 

How Implementation Science Improves Military Healthcare 

The U.S. military’s Implementation Science Branch (ISB) is part of the Military Health System (MHS), which stands among the largest, most sophisticated healthcare organizations in the country. The MHS serves nearly 10 million people, including active-duty personnel, their dependents and retired military personnel.  

With the health and well-being of so many people on the line, it’s fortunate that the MHS has been an implementation science success story, thanks to its multidisciplinary ISB team. This team brings together experts in diverse fields including project management, communications, data analysis and facilitation. 

Let’s explore how the ISB and MHS are setting an example for civilian healthcare, and how you can contribute to positive health outcomes in the military and elsewhere as an implementation science professional. 

Implementation Breakthroughs in the MHS 

Establishing Walk-in Contraceptive Services 
One prominent success story was a recent initiative to establish walk-in contraceptive services in 130 MHS facilities. This project had a tight implementation deadline of three months. The ISB, part of the MHS’s Defense Health Agency, rose to the task. 

The branch implemented several strategies: 

• Instituted peer-to-peer workgroups. 
• Created and distributed implementation resources. 
• Identified and supported champions — individuals who oversee implementation from within an organization — at every location. 
• Monitored compliance through regular reviews and meetings. 

These efforts empowered the ISB to quickly identify roadblocks and successful practices by site, and they were able to provide targeted training where needed. The result? 100% compliance across all facilities on time — a remarkable achievement in a field in which implementation can take up to 20 years.  

Reducing HIV Exposure 

The ISB launched an initiative to encourage HIV drug prophylaxis use among at-risk active-duty service members. To this end, the team: 

• Assembled experts to develop ways to inform potential HIV patients of the existence of the drug PrEP, which reduces HIV infection risk by up to 99% if taken as directed. 
• Created supporting materials and resources. 
• Developed training for healthcare providers. 
• Produced reference guides, toolkits and infographics. 

The ongoing project expects to increase PrEP prescriptions among MHS patients by 25% by 2025. 

Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening 

The COVID-19 pandemic greatly reduced the rates of in-office preventive testing. In response, the ISB developed a campaign to promote home-based colorectal cancer screening. Efforts are ongoing, but their team has: 

• Targeted 200,000 individuals that met screening requirements. 
• Developed and launched an awareness campaign. 
• Created targeted messaging, a toolkit and healthcare provider resources. 

Standardizing Postpartum Hemorrhage Management 

Postpartum hemorrhaging (PPH) is a potentially dangerous condition that impacts up to 5% of women who have recently given birth. The ISB endeavored to create a uniform procedure for recognizing and treating PPH. The team launching their pilot program: 

• Updated the DHA-PI (procedural instructions manual).  
• Involved local champions. 
• Implemented data tracking. 
• Developed educational materials. 
• Facilitated peer-to-peer workgroups.  

After exceeding their initial compliance goal, the team implemented the intervention at all MHS facilities with inpatient obstetrics services, achieving a 93% compliance rate. 

How the ISB Maximized Their Impact 

Involving All Stakeholders 

The MHS’s implementation science initiatives succeeded by seeking the direct involvement of all stakeholders in every project. This means soliciting ongoing feedback from the patients who benefit most directly from interventions and the healthcare providers who administer those interventions. 

The researchers behind the interventions are a valuable resource that can help an implementation team determine the benefits of an intervention and effective rollout strategies. The involvement of healthcare leaders is central to implementation success, as they can pinpoint and address barriers and areas where resources are inadequate.  

Expanding the Efforts 

Though not part of the MHS, the Veteran’s Administration has also begun to embrace implementation science through its Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI), an endeavor that stands to improve healthcare for as many as 18 million veterans. 

Put Implementation Science Solutions Into Practice 

Build the expertise you need to contribute to successful intervention implementation in UF’s online Implementation Science Graduate Certificate. Hone specialized skills in just 11 credits and prepare to take on new professional challenges in as little as one year. 

Experience these advantages throughout our program: 

• No GRE requirement for admission. 
• Asynchronous online format.  
• Affordable tuition, regardless of location. 
• Unique courses in areas including community-based research and the learning health system. 

Apply to our online program today!