Dissemination & Implementation Curriculum and Competencies

Our training program is innovative on several levels. While the program is the first of its kind to focus on training for D&I research in heart, lung, blood and sleep disorders, we are also working to develop and refine a set of core D&I competencies and a model curriculum specific to D&I research. The following is a list of D&I Competencies that were identified by Washington University faculty in 2015:

D&I Competencies by Domain

*Expertise levels: B = Beginner; I = Intermediate; A = Advanced.

Number Competency Expertise*
Section A: Definitions, Background and Rational
A1 Define and communicate D&I research terminology. B
A2 Define what is and what is not D&I research. B
A3 Differentiate between D&I research and other related areas, such as efficacy research and effectiveness research. B
A4 Identify the potential impact of disseminating, implementing and sustaining effective interventions. B
A5 Describe the range of expertise needed to conduct D&I research (e.g., mixed method experience, economic, organizational, policy, clinical). B
A6 Determine which evidence-based interventions are worth disseminating and implementing. I
A7 Assess, describe, and quantify (where possible) the context for effective D&I (setting characteristics, culture, capacity & readiness). I
A8 Identify existing gaps in D&I research. I
A9 Identify the potential impact of scaling down (aka de-implementing) an ineffective but often used intervention. I
A10 Formulate methods to address barriers of D&I research. I

 

Number Competency Expertise*
Section B: Theory and Approaches
B1 Describe a range of D&I strategies, models and frameworks. B
B2 Identify appropriate conceptual models, frameworks, or program logic for D&I change. I
B3 Identify core elements (effective ingredients) of effective interventions and recognize the risks of making modifications to these. I
B4 Describe a process for designing and dissemination (planning for adoption, implementation, and sustainability during the intervention development stage). I
B5 Describe the relationships between various organizational dimensions (e.g., climate, culture) and D&I research. I
B6 Explain how knowledge from discipline outside health (e.g. business, marketing, and engineering) can help inform further trans-disciplinary efforts in D&I research. I
B7 Identify and articulate the interplay between policy and organizational processes in D&I. I

 

Number Competency Expertise*
Section C: Design & Analysis
C1 Describe the core components of external validity and their relevance to D&I research. B
C2 Identify common D&I measures & analytic strategies relevant for your research questions(s). B
C3 Identify and measure outcomes that matter to stakeholders, adopters and implementors. I
C4 Describe the applications and integration of mixed-methods (quantitative and qualitative) approaches in D&I research. I
C5 Apply common D&I measures & analytic strategies relevant for your research question(s) within your model/framework. I
C6 Identify possible methods to address external validity in study design reporting and implementation. I
C7 List the potential roles of mediators and moderators in a D&I study. I
C8 Identify and articulate the trade-offs between a variety of different study designs for D&I research. I
C9 Describe how to frame and analyze the context of D&I as a complex system with interacting parts. I
C10 Effectively integrate the concepts of sustainability/sustainment and the rationale behind them in D&I study design. I
C11 Describe gaps in D&I measurement and critically evaluate how to fill them. I
C12 Effectively explain and incorporate concepts of de-adoption and de-implementation into D&I study design. I
C13 Incorporate methods of economic evaluation (e.g., implementation costs, cost-effectiveness) in D&I study design. I
C14 Evaluate and refine innovative scale-up and spread methods (e.g., technical assistance, interactive systems, novel incentives and ‘pull’ strategies). I

 

Number Competency Expertise*
Section D: Practice-Based Consideration
D1 Describe the importance of incorporating the perspectives of different stakeholder groups (e.g., patient/family; employers, payers, healthcare settings, public organizations, community and policy makers). B
D2 Describe the concept and measurement of fidelity. B
D3 Articulate the strengths and weaknesses of participatory research in D&I research. B
D4 Determine when engagement in participatory research is appropriate with D&I research. I
D5 Describe the appropriate process for eliciting input from community-based practitioners for adapting an intervention. I
D6 Identify and apply techniques for stakeholder analysis and engagement when implementing evidence-based practices. I
D7 Identify a process for adapting an intervention and how the process is relevant to D&I research. I
D8 Explain how to maintain fidelity of original interventions during the adaption process. I
D9 Identify sites to participate in D&I studies and negotiate or provide incentives to secure their involvement. I
D10 Identify and develop sustainable partnerships for D&I research. I
D11 Describe how to measure successful partnerships for D&I research. I
D12 Use evidence to evaluate and adapt D&I strategies for specific populations, settings, contexts, resources and/or capacities. A