How to Approach this Book

From Research to Reality is a practical guide designed for busy clinicians, researchers, public health, social and community professionals, advocates and healthcare innovators who want to create meaningful, lasting improvements. Whether you’re applying research evidence to practice or embedding a new product, process, or pathway, this book provides a clear sequence and the tools to plan implementation with confidence and clarity.

Each chapter is designed for practical use and flexibility. You can work through the book from beginning to end or focus on the sections most relevant to your current stage of planning. To support this, every chapter begins with a short set of learning goals. These can help you decide whether to skim for key ideas or read more deeply. You’ll find practical examples interspersed throughout, along with questions for personal reflection and application. Simple tables and structured problem-solving sequences are used to illustrate key strategies in a clear and accessible way.

A simple 4-sequence Guiding Framework for Improvement is introduced, and progress through this sequence is indicated at the beginning of each chapter. Each chapter closes with a practical case scenario and reflection questions, to consolidate your learning. A box of key takeaways provides a summary of each chapter. While the text is not written as an academic paper, chapters conclude with a short list of open-access academic references and useful websites to deepen your understanding.

Consider reading this book alongside formal implementation courses. Use it as a framework when embarking on a new implementation project. Look for key chapters if you are stuck in a challenging situation. Use it as a reflection tool when things don’t go to plan. Seek out peer and expert mentors to help support and focus your learning.  

To support implementation in real-world settings, downloadable templates, detailed case studies, and additional resources are available at Mosaic Health Consulting. You’ll also find information there about online courses, workshops, and a growing learning community to help you apply the ideas in this book with support and connection. Chapter-specific templates and companion tools are linked at the end of each chapter, making it easy to access and apply what you need, when you need it.

To get the most out of this book, it’s helpful to start with a practical focus. It could be a clinical problem you want to address, an innovative product or process you’re seeking to introduce, or research evidence that needs to be implemented. While each chapter can stand alone, learning will be most powerful when you apply the concepts and tools to an actual project, within a unique organisational setting, as you go. Working through the steps in sequence allows you to clarify your goals, understand your local context, identify behavioural and organisational factors that influence change, and co-design a robust plan for implementation.

The implementation strategies provided in this book can accommodate large or small projects, at conception, early-stage or already underway. Whether you’re working independently or collaborating with a team or mentor, From Research to Reality is designed to build clarity and make the process of planning for change more systematic, strategic, and achievable.