How can a behavioral economics lens contribute to implementation science?
2024 (English)In: Implementation Science, E-ISSN 1748-5908, Vol. 19, no 1, p. 1-9, article id 33Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
Background: Implementation science in health is an interdisciplinary field with an emphasis on supporting behavior change required when clinicians and other actors implement evidence-based practices within organizational constraints. Behavioral economics has emerged in parallel and works towards developing realistic models of how humans behave and categorizes a wide range of features of choices that can influence behavior. We argue that implementation science can be enhanced by the incorporation of approaches from behavioral economics. Main body First, we provide a general overview of implementation science and ways in which implementation science has been limited to date. Second, we review principles of behavioral economics and describe how concepts from BE have been successfully applied to healthcare including nudges deployed in the electronic health record. For example, de-implementation of low-value prescribing has been supported by changing the default in the electronic health record. We then describe what a behavioral economics lens offers to existing implementation science theories, models and frameworks, including rich and realistic models of human behavior, additional research methods such as pre-mortems and behavioral design, and low-cost and scalable implementation strategies. We argue that insights from behavioral economics can guide the design of implementation strategies and the interpretation of implementation studies. Key objections to incorporating behavioral economics are addressed, including concerns about sustainment and at what level the strategies work. Conclusion: Scholars should consider augmenting implementation science theories, models, and frameworks with relevant insights from behavioral economics. By drawing on these additional insights, implementation scientists have the potential to boost efforts to expand the provision and availability of high quality care. © The Author(s) 2024.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
London: BioMed Central (BMC), 2024. Vol. 19, no 1, p. 1-9, article id 33
Keywords [en]
Behavior change, Behavioral economics, Implementation frameworks, Implementation strategies, Interdisciplinary research
National Category
Health Sciences
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-53331DOI: 10.1186/s13012-024-01362-yISI: 001209741000001PubMedID: 38671508Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85191636277OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hh-53331DiVA, id: diva2:1858563
2024-05-172024-05-172024-05-17Bibliographically approved