Implementation Science in Healthcare

Only a fraction of research evidence is translated into changes in practice and it takes about 15 years to achieve implementation in real-world settings. Implementation science is a relatively novel field that builds on clinical research methods and adds specific methodological considerations to support successful translation of innovations into real-world settings. In this course, participants will gain the knowledge and competencies that enable them to effectively translate innovations into real-world settings and also clinical practice. Such innovations include but are not limited to programs, practices, principles, procedures, products, pills, policies. Starting from strength of evidence, patient and public involvement, and a contextual analysis, interventions and implementation strategies will be discussed and developed. The course will address evaluation both from an effectiveness as well as from an implementation process perspective. Participants will learn about case studies and other examples from various contexts and focus on application of implementation science.

Course leader

Sabina De-Geest - PhD, Lauren Clack - PhD, Aita Signorell - PhD

Course aim

By the end of the course participants will: - Understand different types of research waste and be able to argue the role of implementation science in reducing research waste and enhance effectiveness of the research pipeline; - Be able to discuss stakeholder involvement in implementation science projects; - Be able to highlight the role and types of theories, models and frameworks in supporting implementation research; - Have the capacity to argue the need for contextual analysis in implementation science projects and describe how to perform a contextual analysis; - Understand the evidence base of implementation strategies; - Know different types of implementation outcomes and their measurement; - Be able to recognize and critically evaluate common implementation science study designs; - Be able to apply reporting guidelines (e.g., StaRI) for implementation science research studies; - Be able to apply learned theoretical knowledge in the discussions and learning groups and participate actively in discussions and project works.