The need for rapid and successful implementation and evaluation of interventions and services during the current pandemic has been unprecedented. But research has found that during even normal times, evidence-based interventions and services consistently fail to be implemented into routine practice and policy. And that even when such interventions are implemented, this is a hugely effortful and typically slow process.
The new resource (pictured above and linked to here) is based on lessons from implementation and improvement sciences. It aims to provide an accessible guide and support for health and social care staff and managers through key lessons in implementing change, from understanding early adoption to supporting ongoing implementation, to keeping things going or deciding to stop. To facilitate continuous learning and improvement, the resource encourages a reflective approach to both implementation and evaluation.
The development of the resource was led by Dr Louise Hull, deputy lead of the implementation research theme at the NIHR ARC South London, and was a collaborative effort, including researchers from King’s Improvement Science, funded by King’s Health Partners, and the Health Innovation Network.
We hope this resource will help those grappling with the challenges of implementing and evaluating change during these unprecedented times.
“The resource offers simple and practical advice to support rapid and successful change,” explains Dr Hull. “For example, by highlighting factors that are likely to affect implementation efforts, the need to be mindful of the unintended consequences of implementation efforts, and also the need to monitor and consider de-implementing Covid-19 specific interventions or services as the pandemic evolves."
To supplement the resource, the Health Innovation Network and NIHR ARC South London are launching a series of online conversations between implementors and experts in implementation, improvement and evaluation sciences. The first online conversation will take place on 30 July 2020. Find our more and sign up here.