---
title: "HCSRN as environment for implementation research. | Sutter Health"
description: "IMPULSS study is an example of how HCSRN strengths make it an excellent environment for research on implementing evidence-based precision medicine in healthcare"
url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/hcsrn-as-environment-for-implementation-research-1055312447"
---

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# The Healthcare Systems Research Network (HCSRN) as an environment for dissemination and implementation research: a case study of developing a multi-site research study in precision medicine.

Rahm AK, Ladd I, Burnett-Hartman AN, Epstein MM, Lowery JT, Lu CY, Pawloski PA, Sharaf RN, Liang SY, & Hunter JE.

_EGEMS (Wash DC). 7(1):16. doi: 10.5334/egems.283._

2019-04-12

## Abstract

Context: In existence for nearly 25 years, the Healthcare Systems Research Network (HCSRN) is an established and sustainable network of health care systems that serves as a "real world" laboratory to enable the integration of research findings into practice. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate how the HCSRN serves as an ideal environment for studying dissemination and implementation of evidence-based practices into health care systems through the example of developing a multi-site study on the implementation of evidence-based precision medicine practices.

Case description: The "Implementing Universal Lynch Syndrome Screening (IMPULSS)" study (NIH R01CA211723) involves seven HCSRN health care systems and two external health care systems. The IMPULSS study will describe and explain organizational variability around Lynch syndrome (LS) screening to identify which factors in different organizational contexts are important for successful implementation of LS screening programs and will create a toolkit to facilitate organizational decision making around implementation and improvement of precision medicine programs in health care systems.

Major Themes: The strengths of the HCSRN that facilitate D&I research include: 1) a culture of collaboration, 2) standardization of data and processes across systems, and 3) researchers embedded in diverse health care systems. We describe how these strengths contributed to developing the IMPULSS study.

Conclusion: Given the importance of conducting research in real world settings to improve patient outcomes, the unique strengths of the HCSRN are of vital importance. The IMPULSS study is one case example of how the strengths of the HCSRN make it an excellent environment for research on implementing evidence-based precision medicine practices in health care systems.

[PubMed abstract](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30984796)

![Su-Ying Liang, Ph.D.](https://dyn.mktgcdn.com/p/cRIUee_GK3HEL1Wq8svqoUApvABjlwVVA-KUHVGzuNw/fit=crop,gravity=auto,dpr=2,width=188,height=250,quality=100)

Su-Ying Liang, Ph.D.

Principal investigator

[View profile](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/investigators/su-ying-liang-phd-1049681030)

## Research topics

-   [All Cancer](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22All+Cancer%5C%22%22)
-   [Disease Management](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Disease+Management%5C%22%22)
-   [Genetics](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Genetics%5C%22%22)
-   [Health Services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Health+Services%5C%22%22)

## Related publications

[View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication)

-   Publication
    
    ### [Implementing universal Lynch syndrome screening (IMPULSS): protocol for a multi-site study to identify strategies to implement, adapt, and sustain genomic medicine programs in different organizational contexts.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/implementing-universal-lynch-syndrome-screening-impulss-1055312375)
    
    Rahm AK, Cragun D, Hunter JE, Epstein MM, Lowery J, Lu CY, Pawloski PA, Sharaf RN, Liang SY, Burnett-Hartman AN, Gudgeon JM, Hao J, Snyder S, Gogoi R, Ladd I, Williams MS.
    
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    2018 Oct 30
    
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    ### [Evolving goals of care discussions as described in interviews with individuals with advanced cancer and oncology and palliative care teams.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/goals-of-care-discussions-in-advanced-cancer-1055312861)
    
    Dillon EC, Meehan A, Nasrallah C, Lai S, Colocci N, Luft H.
    
    Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 1049909120969202. doi: 10.1177/1049909120969202. Online ahead of print.
    
    2020 Oct 28
    
-   Publication
    
    ### [The importance of integrating narrative into health care decision making.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/integrate-narrative-in-healthcare-decision-making-1055312429)
    
    Dohan D, Garrett SB, Rendle KA, Halley M, Abramson C.
    
    Health Aff (Millwood). 35(4):720-5. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2015.1373.
    
    2016 Apr 01
    
-   Publication
    
    ### [In absentia: an exploratory study of how patients are considered in multidisciplinary cancer team meetings.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/pt-consideration-multidisciplin-cancer-team-mtgs-1055312430)
    
    Hahlweg P, Hoffmann J, Härter M, Frosch DL, Elwyn G, Scholl I.
    
    PLoS One. 10(10):e0139921. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0139921. eCollection 2015.
    
    2015 Oct 06
    
-   Publication
    
    ### [Redefining risk and benefit: understanding the decision to undergo contralateral prophylactic mastectomy.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/decsion-for-contralateral-prophylactic-mastectomy-1055312294)
    
    Rendle KA, Halley MC, May SG, Frosch DL.
    
    Qual Health Res. 25(9):1251-9. doi: 10.1177/1049732314557085. Epub 2014 Nov 4.
    
    2015 Sep 01
    

[View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication)

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