Implementation Support Skills: Findings From a Systematic Integrative Review

Abstract

Purpose: Skills in selecting and designing strategies for implementing research-supported interventions (RSIs) within specific local contexts are important for progressing a wider RSI adoption and application in human and social services. This also applies to a particular role in implementation, the implementation support practitioner (ISP). This study examines which strategies have been reported as being used by ISPs across multiple bodies of research on implementation support and how these strategies were applied in concrete practice settings. Methods: A systematic integrative review was conducted. Data analysis utilized the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change compilation of implementation strategies. Results: Studies reported on 18 implementation strategies commonly used by different ISPs, who require mastery in selecting, operationalizing, and detailing these. Two further strategies not included in the ERIC compilation could be identified. Discussion: Given the use of primarily more feasible implementation support strategies among ISPs, their potential as agents of change may be underutilized.

The Mechanisms of Implementation Support - Findings from a Systematic Integrative Review

“…This included a synthesis of skills (i.e., the application of implementation strategies), knowledge, and attitudes of ISPs as reported in the literature. The findings that emerged from this inquiry have been reported elsewhere (Albers, Metz, Burke, Bührmann, et al, 2020).…”

A Digital Patient-Provider Communication Intervention (InvolveMe): Qualitative Study on the Implementation Preparation Based on Identified Facilitators and Barriers

“…The involvement of relevant stakeholders is a known facilitator of implementation [ 50 , 53 ]. Although stakeholders were involved in the development [ 41 ] of the InvolveMe intervention, the participants in this study provided valuable additional information for the tailoring of the intervention, including the need to test the intervention before any upcoming clinical trial.…”

“…HCPs struggling with the use of technology are a known barrier in the implementation of eHealth interventions [ 23 ]. Training of HCPs is therefore a preferred and widely used implementation strategy [ 53 ], and a combination of software training and training in how to incorporate the intervention into daily clinical workflow may be required [ 30 , 31 ]. In this study, it was hence considered an important aspect to include training and follow-up of HCPs in the implementation plan.…”

“…In this study, the project steering committee meetings were also intended to build a coalition between patient participants, HCPs, and the research team to cultivate a good relationship in the implementation effort, another described implementation strategy [ 32 , 37 , 53 ], and thus a key aspect to include in an implementation plan. Collaborative relationships are crucial for implementing plans and, through a social exchange communicating the potential impact of innovations, for the implementation of interventions, such as InvolveMe , into clinical practice may be facilitated [ 57 ].…”

Development of a Brief Group CBT Intervention to Reduce COVID-19 Related Distress Among School-Age Youth

“…Implementation support is the hallmark of the TRAILS program’s approach to increasing the use of EBPs in school settings, and was theorized to be especially crucial in the context of launching new programming, such as the CC-19 manual. The literature supports that training alone is not sufficient for EBP implementation and sustainment, and that additional supports, such as consultation, are needed ( Albers et al, 2020 , Frank et al, 2020 ). Therefore, supports for CC-19 currently include a 3-hour virtual training, online access to all materials, and access to TRAILS clinical consultation as needed.…”