Sickle cell disease and implementation science: A partnership to accelerate advances

Sickle cell disease (SCD) results in end organ damage and a shortened lifespan. Both the pathophysiology of the disease and the social determinants of health affect patient outcomes. Randomized controlled trials have been completed among this population and resulted in medical advances; however, the gestation of these advances and the lack of penetrance into clinical practice have limited advancements in clinical improvements for many people with SCD. We discuss the role of implementation science in SCD and highlight the need for this science to shorten the length of time to implement evidence-based care for more people with SCD.