Implementation science made too simple: a teaching tool

Implement Sci Commun. 2020 Feb 25:1:27. doi: 10.1186/s43058-020-00001-z. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Background: The field of implementation science is growing and becoming more complex. When teaching new learners, providing a clear definition of implementation science and a description of "its place" among related fields can be difficult. The author developed a teaching tool using very simple language to help learners grasp key concepts in implementation science.

The teaching tool: The tool consists of a slide (visual aid) which provides simple and jargon-free definitions of implementation science, implementation strategies, and implementation outcomes, as well as a description of how implementation science relates to "effectiveness" research focusing on clinical/preventive interventions.

Conclusion: The tool could be useful to new students in the field, as well as other scholars or stakeholders in need of a brief and plain language introduction to key concepts in implementation science.

Keywords: Education; Implementation outcomes; Implementation science; Implementation strategies.