Taxonomies are playing an increasing role in health systems research. This presentation will describe the methods for taxonomy development, the implementation, and impact of taxonomies based on the example of case management in brain injury.

The methods used to develop the taxonomy in Phase 1 involved a scoping and mapping study, critical review of international frames, a nominal group of experts and feasibility analysis. In Phase 2 of implementation research is the dissemination of the case management taxonomy to diverse target groups including national and state agencies in Australia, other country organisations, international organisations, the scientific community, service providers and service users. An assessment of the impact of dissemination follows after 3-6 months, to identify the level of impact from 'no impact' through to translation of the new knowledge into the target environment.

For over 20 years Sue worked across health and disability sectors as a therapist, educator, consultant and managing director of a growing multi-disciplinary rehabilitation practice. She moved into community based health services, delivery and policy research over 10 years ago working on numerous projects: clinical practice guidelines (as methodologist and developer); researcher and writer for two WHO international reports (World Report on Disability, International Perspectives on Spinal Cord Injury); design, implementation and evaluation of a person-centred planning approach for people complex needs (My Plan); and has over 40 publications. At the University of Sydney her research has involved the development of a monitoring and evaluation toolkit for international Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) programs; policy papers and reports for state and national government. Sue’s doctoral research involved the development of a taxonomy for case management, dissemination and analysis of the taxonomy’s impact in policy, research and practice in Australian and International contexts.