Implementation Science and Pediatric Diabetes: A Scoping Review of the State of the Literature and Recommendations for Future Research

This scoping review aimed to identify implementation science (IS) research in pediatric diabetes, report integration of IS theory and terminology, and offer guidance for future research.

Of 23 papers identified, 19 were published since 2017 and 21 focused on type 1 diabetes. Most involved medical evidence-based practices (EBPs; n = 15), whereas fewer focused on psychosocial (n = 7) and diabetes education (n = 2). The majority either identified barriers and facilitators of implementing an EBP (n = 11) or were implementation trials (n = 11). Fewer studies documented gaps in EBP implementation in standard care (n = 7) or development of implementation strategies (n = 1). Five papers employed IS theories and two aimed to improve equity.

There is a paucity of IS research in pediatric diabetes care literature. Few papers employed IS theory, used consistent IS terminology, or described IS strategies or outcomes. Guidance for future research to improve IS research in pediatric diabetes is offered.