Implementation Science Group

Understanding how to apply evidence to change practice in health and care is crucial to improving the population’s health. Implementation Science provides this understanding and draws on a range of research methods, including mixed-methods, behaviour change, operational research, qualitative research and quality improvement. 

Our Implementation Science Group works across all our research themes, as well as working collaboratively with external partners such as the South West Health Innovation Network other institutions and other ARCs. 

The group works across three key areas: 

• Research – developing new projects, supporting emerging projects and obtaining grant funding 
• Improvement – working collaboratively with partner organisations to support the implementation of evidence-informed change 
• Capacity-building – increasing the awareness and understanding of implementation science across the South West through running training sessions, postgraduate education and their ever-popular ‘Learning Implementation Forum’ seminar series.

The ARC South West Implementation Science Team runs a monthly implementation science forum. To find out more, please contact : penarc-events-training@exeter.ac.uk.

The format is a one-hour online meeting for researchers and others interested in implementation practice and research issues. Each meeting focuses on a topical issue in implementation science (see below for previous topics covered) and involves discussion based around a relevant article.

The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) User Guide: a five-step guide for conducting implementation research using the framework.

Using economic evaluations in implementation science to increase transparency in costs and outcomes for organizational decision-makers

Improving evidence use: a systematic scoping review of local models of knowledge mobilisation

Aligning the planning, development, and implementation of complex interventions to local contexts with an equity focus: application of the PRISM/RE-AIM Framework

Building trusting relationships to support implementation: A proposed theoretical model

What are embedded researchers and what influence do they have in public health settings?

The implementation of embedded researchers in policy, public services, and commercial settings: a systematic evidence and gap map

Using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to produce actionable findings: a rapid-cycle evaluation approach to improving implementation

Navigating the field of implementation science towards maturity: challenges and opportunities

Adjunctive interventions: change methods directed at recipients that support uptake and use of health innovations.

Firm, yet flexible: a fidelity debate paper with two case examples

Bridging the Silos: A Comparative Analysis of Implementation Science and Improvement Science