Implementation Research in Refugee Resettlement: A Rapid Scoping Review

Abstract The world today has the highest number of refugees in history. Resettlement is a durable solution for some. Due to the stressors and traumas of forced migration, resettled refugees experience disproportionate rates of physical and mental health difficulties. Dissemination of knowledge about evidence-based interventions for this population has advanced greatly; however, knowledge about implementation is scant. This rapid scoping review was conducted to identify the characteristics of implementation research in refugee resettlement and commonly reported implementation barriers. Four major databases were searched for relevant studies conducted from 2018 to 2023. Data were extracted on implementation characteristics, outcomes, and barriers. Frequency analyses were conducted to summarize the data. Fifty-three studies were included. The most frequently implemented evidence-based interventions were physical health education/promotion, trauma-focused therapies, and parenting interventions. Acceptability and feasibility were the most frequently studied implementation outcomes, typically measured by client retention rates. The most common implementation strategies were adapting an intervention to the local refugee context, training stakeholders, and using iterative evaluation. Reported rates of desirable outcomes were high. Most studies used mixed methods, one-group pretest–posttest, or qualitative research designs. The most cited implementation barriers were lack of time, budget constraints, workflow disruption, and limited availability of interpreters. This study is the first to assess implementation research in refugee resettlement. This is a nascent field with potential for improving service quality and outcomes for this vulnerable population. Limitations and suggestions for application are discussed.