Building a culture of equitable implementation science to advance prenatal screening in Ontario

Reducing the Evidence-Practice Gap

Evidence-based prenatal care and screening is important for the health of both parent and child, yet we know that a substantial amount of care practices across Canadian health care systems are not consistent with best available evidence. This is known as the evidence-practice gap.

Implementation science is the scientific study of methods and strategies that improve the uptake of evidence-based practices thereby reducing the gap.

Ensuring Access to Evidence-Based Prenatal Screening Practices for Ontarians

New prenatal screening practices will be introduced over the next five years, and Dr. Vesnaver will help BORN and PSO design evidence-based implementation strategies and interventions.  Dr. Vesnaver says tailoring implementation to meet the diverse needs of patients and health care providers is important. She also emphasizes the importance of evaluation, "We need to build our knowledge of what works, for whom and under which conditions, ultimately enhancing access to evidence-based prenatal screening practices for all pregnant Ontarians".