Implementation Science Initiative
There is a well-documented gap between research (what we know) vs. practice (what we do), with only a fraction of evidence-based practices, interventions, and research findings routinely applied in real-world healthcare and community settings. Translating new public health and healthcare knowledge and research among practitioners, healthcare providers, patients, and the general public is complex, but critically important. Research is needed to help advance understanding of how to enhance the uptake, reach, and impact of scientific discoveries. Dissemination and implementation (D&I) research is the scientific study of methods and strategies to promote the adoption and integration of proven treatments, programs, and policies into routine use in diverse real-world settings and populations. Community-engaged research and partnerships with key stakeholders and a foundational focus on promoting health equity are critical components of high impact D&I research. Ultimately, D&I science can accelerate the pace of improving healthcare and health outcomes from research, with CTSA Program hubs well positioned to help advance science in this area.
The Implementation Science Initiative at the Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Columbia University’s CTSA Program hub focuses on: 1) increasing awareness of and capacity for implementation science; 2) providing opportunities for education and training; and 3) facilitating research and collaborations in implementation science. We provide the Columbia Implementation Science seminar series with the New York State Psychiatric Institute, Working Group meeting, training and symposia, consultation services, pilot funding, and help build research capacity and connections.
Services
Join Our Working Group
The Implementation Science Initiative holds a regular Working Group meeting of faculty, post-docs, and students across a range of Columbia-wide schools, departments, and organizations. We meet monthly (the second Thursday of each month from 1-2 pm EST). This network of transdisciplinary researchers and practitioners shares a common interest in dissemination and implementation (D&I) science and practice across diverse topical areas, sectors, and contexts (e.g. emergency medicine, HIV, social work, mental health services, public health, cancer screening and treatment, digital health, aging, cardiovascular health, pediatrics, mental health), with efforts both domestically and globally. At monthly meetings, we share new resources for implementation science, have ‘works in progress’, build research capacity and collaboration, and plan collaborative projects, trainings, or events.
If you would like access to more information from the Implementation Science SharePoint Group and view additional materials, please contact us. The Working Group has compiled resources, curricula, and readings on health equity and anti-racism. If you are unable to access this document, please email us for a copy.
View the full list of Working Group members.
To join our Working Group or share updates, grants, publications, or events you are aware of that relate to D&I science or practice please contact us: irvinginst_implement@cumc.columbia.edu
Additional Resources
Resources for Health Equity & Anti-Racism
- The Working Group has compiled a list of resources, curricula, and readings on health equity and anti-racism, as well as a Presentation of Health Equity Resources. If you are unable to access this document, please email us for a copy.
External Funding Opportunities
- National Institutes of Health – Dissemination & Implementation Research in Health
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
- PCORI Engagement Award: Dissemination Initiative
- National Cancer Institute
- University of Washington Implementation Science Resource Hub
Institutions and Websites
- National Cancer Institute Division of Cancer Control & Population Sciences, Division of Implementation Science
- Implementation Science & Health outcomes (ISHO) Core, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University
- Consortium for Implementation Science
- Society for Implementation Research Collaboration
- Center for Prevention Implementation Methodology
- Implementation Science Exchange
- Dissemination and Implementation Research Core at Washington University
D&I Frameworks, Methods, Interventions
- NIH Collaboratory Rethinking Clinical Trials
- Dissemination & Implementation Models
- Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR)
- Reach Effectiveness Adoption Implementation Maintenance (RE-AIM)
- Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment (EPIS)
- Tools for Identifying and Selecting Evidence-based Interventions
- Implementation Science Methods and Framework Guides
Educational Courses at Columbia University
- Dissemination and Implementation Science (SOSC P8792) – Mailman School of Public Health, Sociomedical Sciences
- Introduction to Dissemination and Implementation Research: Translating Evidence into Social Work Practice (SW T6009) – School of Social Work
- Implementation Science in Low and Middle Income Countries (POPF 9620) – Mailman School of Public Health, Population and Family Health
- Implementation Science In Public Health Programs (June) – EpiSummer Institute
National and Global Training
- Washington University in St. Louis: Trainings, fellowships, and graduate programs
- Implementation Research Institute: Two year mentorship program for mental health researchers
- University of North Carolina Summer Institute on Implementation Science
- University of Washington: Intensive Course in Implementation Science in Global Health
- University of Pennsylvania Implementation Science Institute
- University of California San Francisco Short Course in Implementation Science
- National Cancer Institute
Online Programs and Videos
Conferences
- Biennial Society for Implementation Research Collaboration Conference
- Annual Conference on the Science of Dissemination and Implementation in Health: bridging the gap between research, practice, and policy
Textbooks and Journals
Textbooks:
- Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health: Translating Science to Practice. Edited by Ross C. Brownson, Graham A. Colditz, and Enola K. Proctor, 3rd edition, 2023
- Handbook on Implementation Science Edited by Per Nilsen and Sarah A. Birken, 1st edition, 2020.
Journals:
Social Media
- @SISEPcenter - State Implementation and Scaling up Evidence-based Practices Center
- @NCI_ImplSci - National Cancer Institute Division of Cancer Control & Population Sciences
- @ConsortiumforIS - Consortium for Implementation Science
- @ImplementGroup – The Implementation Group
- @GlobalImplement - Global Implementation Initiative
- @ImplementSci – Implementation Science Journal
Leadership
Rachel Shelton, ScD, MPH
- Director, Implementation Science Initiative
Nathalie Moise, MD, MS
Sapana Patel, PhD
Jason Adelman, MD, MS
Alejandra N. Aguirre, DrPH, MPH
- Assistant Director, Community Engagement Core Resource
Dora Ventura
- Program Coordinator
