A Citation Review of 83 Dissemination and Implementation Theories, Models, or Frameworks Utilized in US-Based Aging Research

Background and Objectives: Dissemination implementation.org outlines 110 theories, models, and frameworks (TMFs): we conducted a citation analysis on 83 TMFs, searching Web of Science and PubMed databases. Research Design and Methods: Search terms were broad and included aging, older, elderly, and geriatric. We extracted each TMF in identified articles from inception through January 28,2022. Included articles must have used a TMF in research or quality improvement work directly linked to older adults within the United States. Results: We reviewed 2,677 articles of which 295 articles cited at least one of 56 TMFs. Five TMFs represented 50% of the citations: Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance 1.0, Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, Greenhalgh Diffusion of Innovation in Service Organizations, Quality Enhancement Research Initiative, Community-Based Participatory Research, and Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services. TMF application varied and there was a steady increase in TMF citations over time, with a 2- to 3-fold increase in citations in 2020-2021. We identified that only 41% of TMF use was meaningful. Discussion and Implications: Our results suggest TMF utilization is increasing in aging research, but there is a need to more meaningful utilize TMFs. As the population of older adults continues to grow, there will be increasing demand for effective evidence-based practices and models of care to be quickly and effectively translated into routine care. Use of TMFs is critical to building such evidence and to identifying and evaluating methods to support this translation.

Automated summary

This study conducted a citation analysis on the utilization of theories, models, and frameworks (TMFs) in aging research. The results indicate an increasing utilization of TMFs in aging research, but only 41% of the usage was meaningful. The study highlights the importance of more meaningful utilization of TMFs in quickly and effectively translating evidence-based practices and care models into routine care, particularly as the population of older adults continues to grow.