Greetings from the Representative Coordinator

I am honored to have assumed the role of Representative Coordinator of RADISH in July 2023, and I would like to offer a few words of greeting.

Implementation science has developed since around 2000 in North America, Australia, the United Kingdom, and other regions, as a field dedicated to answering the question of how evidence-based interventions (EBIs) can be effectively and sustainably embedded in real-world practice. The Research Association for Dissemination and Implementation Science in Health (RADISH) was established at its inaugural academic meeting in November 2018. Since then, we have engaged in a range of activities to advance research using implementation science methodologies, including hosting academic conferences and publishing translations of key texts.

In Japan, various academic societies and research groups have been working toward the implementation of EBIs within their respective domains. Against this backdrop, I would like to reflect on the significance of participating in our society. Implementation science is guided by several core principles: it recognizes that context operates at multiple levels—from patients and the public to providers, organizations, and policy; it underscores that evidence alone is not sufficient to bring about change; it highlights the importance of intentional and proactive strategies to achieve impact; and it regards the process as a collaborative endeavor between practitioners and researchers (J Clin Transl Sci. 2021;5(1):e151). For those who share these perspectives and seek to advance research and practice in their respective fields, participation in RADISH offers valuable insights, information, and skills. Moreover, by sharing research and practice across disciplines in the common language of implementation science at our academic meetings and beyond, we can contribute to the accumulation of knowledge that supports implementation both in Japan and internationally.

Through research and the application of research findings in practice, RADISH aspires to provide a platform where individuals committed to advancing health and building a prosperous society for all can collaborate and work together. I look forward to creating this community with you.

Research Association for Dissemination and Implementation Science in Health (RADISH)

Taichi Shimazu, Representative Coordinator