Becoming an Agile Change Conductor

Abstract

BackgroundIt takes decades and millions of dollars for a new scientific discovery to become part of clinical practice. In 2015, the Center for Health Innovation & Implementation Science (CHIIS) launched a Professional Certificate Program in Innovation and Implementation Sciences aimed at transforming healthcare professionals into Agile Change Conductors capable of designing, implementing, and diffusing evidence-based healthcare solutions.MethodIn 2022, the authors surveyed alumni from the 2016–2021 cohorts of the Certificate Program as part of an educational quality improvement inquiry and to evaluate the effectiveness of the program.ResultsOf the 60 alumni contacted, 52 completed the survey (87% response rate) with 60% of graduates being female while 30% were an under-represented minority. On a scale from 1 to 5, the graduates agreed that the certificate benefited their careers (4.308 with a standard deviation (SD) of 0.612); expanded their professional network (4.615, SD of 0.530); and had a large impact on the effectiveness of their leadership (4.288, SD of 0.667), their change management (4.365, SD of 0.742), and their communication (4.392, SD of 0.666). Graduates claimed to use Agile Processes (Innovation, Implementation, or Diffusion), storytelling, and nudging weekly. On a scale from 0 to 10 where 10 indicates reaching a mastery, the average score for different Agile competencies ranged from 5.37 (SD of 2.80) for drafting business proposals to 7.77 (SD of 1.96) for self-awareness. For the 2020 and 2021 cohorts with existing pre and post training competency data, 22 of the 26 competencies saw a statistically significant increase.ConclusionThe Graduate Certificate has been able to create a network of Agile Change Conductors competent to design, implement, and diffuse evidence-based care within the healthcare delivery system. Further improvements in building dissemination mastery and program expansion initiatives are advised.

The methodology of the Agile Nudge University

“…The Agile Nudge University is committed to providing actionable, high-impact, interdisciplinary training to generate a diverse ADRD workforce competent to design, implement, and sustain nudges that promote high-quality, non-discriminatory, evidence-based care. While Agile Science has been used on a project-based level to increase evidence-based care for aging adults in the past, and other general educational programs for developing competency in Agile methodologies have proved effective, the current program's novel integration of Agile Science and nudge theory specific to ADRD care provide the necessary foundation to overcome structural barriers ( 12 – 18 , 25 ). Moreover, Agile Nudge Innovation, Implementation, and Diffusion directly provide steps to facilitate the creation, implementation, and diffusion of evidence-based behavioral ADRD interventions.…”

A Web-Based Platform (AgileNudge+) to Facilitate Positive Behavioral Change Through Nudge Strategies: A Mixed Methods Feasibility Study (Preprint)

“…To ensure a consistent level of knowledge in Agile science, all participants were selected from individuals who completed the Innovation and Implementation Science Graduate Certificate Program (IIS). This program, held by CHIIS, provides 240 training hours focusing on practicing Agile Implementation tools [11]. The synthesis of insights from usability test sessions identified six themes within user feedback: User Experience Design, Comprehensibility, Applicability, Practicality, User Interface Design, and Technical Challenges.…”

“…AgileNudge+ is designed for individuals seeking behavioral changes within a complex adaptive human organization, utilizing frameworks rooted in Agile science [2][3][4]22]. AgileNudge+ builds off decades of work in implementation science to optimize structured nudge design while overcoming past limitations in education time, finances, and accessibility [10][11][12]. The introduction of AgileNudge+ has proven to be transformative, positively impacting behavioral change processes by providing users with a structured and user-friendly platform.…”

“…Due to their low cost and scalable nature, designing, implementing, or diffusing evidence-based nudges are cost-effective processes for behavioral changes that align with individual freedom and choice [7,10]. [11,12]. Zooming out, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has trained personnel that apply behavioral science concepts, such as nudges, to evaluate current program interventions and policy decisions [13].…”

A Comprehensive Review of Biosensor Integration in Microphysiological Systems for Online Monitoring: Current Challenges and Future Advancements

“…The AEOC model mimics the structure of cancerous alveolus epithelium, incorporating lung cancer cells, fibroblasts, and collagen ECM 54, 63, 70. HSA nanoparticles containing 60 nm diameter ZnO QDs were evaluated for their physicochemical properties, release characteristics, in vitro cytotoxicity, and cellular uptake 71, 72. The AEOC model was equipped with TEER and pH sensors for real‐time monitoring of cells over three days, with and without nanoparticle treatment.…”