The Importance of Mental Models in Implementation Science

Implementation science is concerned with the study of adoption, implementation and maintenance evidence-based interventions use strategies to facilitate translation into practice. Ways conceptualize overcome challenges implementing practice may enhance field science. The concept mental models be one way view such guide selection, use, adaptation deliver interventions. A model an interrelated set beliefs that shape how a person forms expectations for future understands world works. Mental can individual thinks about or something someone does, can, should function in world. sparse detailed, shared among actors not, substantially tacit, is, limited accessibility introspection. Actors' determine what information they are willing accept changes consider. We review concepts illustrate pertain example intervention, decision making. then describe potential methods eliciting analyzing models. Understanding various provide crucial understanding, anticipating, overcoming challenges. Successful often requires changing actors' which presented implemented. Accurate elicitation understanding doing so.