Implementation Research
Implementation research seeks to bridge the potential gap between the efficacy of a microbicide during a clinical trial and its effectiveness in the real world.
Bridging that gap requires a thorough understanding of the factors that might affect a product’s effectiveness. How will a new microbicide be integrated into local health services? Will the microbicide be accepted by the general public, and how will knowing that a product works affect acceptance and adherence? What is the most cost-effective way to provide the microbicide? Will drug resistance become an issue after long-term use of the microbicide? Such questions are the subject of implementation research to expedite and sustain access to proven products.