{
  "abstract": "Background This scoping review documents participatory system dynamics (PSD) applications in implementation science (IS) studies following a recent, increased integration of the two fields in the USA. It aims to illustrate ‘how’ and ‘why’ PSD modelling improves understanding of determinants of implementation outcomes for quality improvement.Methods We queried PubMed and PsycInfo for PSD, IS and their synonyms (community-based system dynamics or group model building, dissemination, quality improvement, translational research or knowledge translation). USA-based empirical studies were included when they described synchronous participatory activities to define a modelling problem over time. Studies were included when PSD was used as an implementation research method or implementation practice strategy. Fifty-eight studies on concept mapping were excluded, as were 65 intervention mapping studies. Nine articles remained after full-text review.Results Most studies (n=7) investigated PSD itself as the intervention for understanding an implementation problem or use it as a tool to understand how to implement an evidence-based practice (n=4) or select an IS strategy (n=3). Most articles were case studies, investigating feasibility and knowledge translation during the preparation phase.Conclusions We recommend that implementation research and practice clarify whether PSD is used as a method to uncover contextual determinants or strategy to do so. PSD has strong potential to use enhanced participant buy-in and problem definition to understand ‘how’ implementation strategies account for cyclical and temporal determinants. Greater alignment between PSD activities, participatory theory, implementation phases and outcomes is needed to strengthen evaluation of PSD’s applications in IS.Registration The protocol for this paper is listed in the UNC Libraries repository ( https://cdr.lib.unc.edu/concern/scholarly_works/6682xg09r).",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Lauren Caton"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Office of Mental Health, National Center for PTSD, Veterans Health Administration, Washington, District of Columbia, USA",
        "Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Lindsey Zimmerman"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Anna Kahkoska"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA",
        "Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Benjamin A Goldstein"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Nina Sperber"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Participatory system dynamics in implementation science practice: a scoping review of methods, contexts and outcomes",
  "uid": "0b98489f-49af-5764-a103-b0b9a304c8a9"
}