Past and Present of Implementation Science (PartⅠ)—Origin and Development

Implementation science aims to close the gap between knowledge and practice by fostering the uptake and implementation of evidence-based practices. In Europe and America, implementation science is rapidly evolving and improving. In China, the field is still in its infancy. This paper focuses on the definition, origin, domestic and international development, research hotspots, challenges, and opportunities of implementation science. Although implementation science is still at an early stage in China, it has shown rapid development momentum. Chinese scholars, therefore, should leverage China's distinctive research environment to conduct high-quality and innovation implementation studies in order to excel in implementation science areas and lead globally.