Table 1 Terminology and definitions

Context

The backdrop of conditions in which interventions are implemented [19]. These conditions include circumstances which trigger and/or modify mechanisms (e.g., historical events, cultural norms, existing social networks, funding sources, participant characteristics, and opportunities or constraints offered by interventions) [19].

Evaluation

Efforts to assess and understand multiple aspects of LHS performance [20], including the merit, impact, enactment, and experience of those interacting with health innovations. Evaluations can be conducted at any stage of the innovation lifecycle (e.g., formative, developmental, summative) and use a wide variety of methods to generate insight.

Evaluator

An individual tasked with planning and conducting evaluation tasks.

Health Innovation

New or improved solutions with the potential to accelerate positive health impact, including health outcomes, experience, costs, and equity, among other outcomes [8].

Institutionalization

Establishing a process as a norm or convention in an organization.

Leader

An individual within a health organization that sets direction, influences others, and is responsible for managing change [21].

Learning Health System

A system which aligns science, informatics, incentives, and culture to target continuous improvement, innovation, and equity [22].

Mechanism

Causal forces, including underlying entities, processes, or structures which operate in particular contexts to generate outcomes [19].

Outcome

The results of mechanisms operating in particular contexts.

Program Theory

An explanation of how and why a class of intervention ‘works’ to generate outcomes of interest [23].

Staff

Health professionals and other individuals that work within the healthcare system to operationalize and use health innovations.

Sustainability

The stability and endurance of engrained change of an innovation within a health system to become the “new normal” [24].