Aligning Quality Improvement and Implementation Science for Meaningful Change in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Purpose: This article presents a critical analysis of the need to integrate quality improvement (QI) and implementation science (IS) to advance health care delivery in communication sciences and disorders (CSD). While QI emphasizes localized, iterative improvements in clinical workflows, IS provides the structured frameworks necessary for the systematic adoption and sustainment of evidence-based practices (EBPs). We argue that the independent application of these approaches has limited the impact of health care interventions in CSD, and that their integration offers a more comprehensive, effective, and scalable model for advancing care. Conclusions: This tutorial outlines specific strategies to bridge the gap between QI and IS, demonstrating how their complementary strengths can drive sustainable, system-wide improvements. By providing a roadmap for interdisciplinary collaboration, workforce development, and policy integration, this article challenges the traditional siloed approach and presents a compelling case for aligning QI and IS. Through this integration, health care interventions in CSD can become more efficient, adaptable, and enduring, ensuring that evidence-based care is successfully implemented and sustained within complex health care systems.