Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE NUR5132

 
TITLE Implementation Science

 
UM LEVEL 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course

 
MQF LEVEL 7

 
ECTS CREDITS 10

 
DEPARTMENT Nursing

 
DESCRIPTION The study-unit seeks to introduce students to the field of implementation science and to and critically discuss its importance in health care and health services research. The study-unit will also seek to explain the difference between implementation science research and clinical research and describe different types of implementation research approaches. Moreover, a number of implementation models, theories and frameworks (e.g. RE-AIM, EPIS, PARIHS, CFIR) will be discussed and appraised. Finally, a number of factors that influence the implementation of EBP interventions will be described.

Study-Unit Aims:

- To introduce students to the field of implementation science and related strategies that seek to understand how to adopt evidence-based practice in health care settings;
- To provide students with the knowledge and analytic skills to apply and use different implementation models, theories and frameworks;
- To provide students with the knowledge and skills to distinguish and critically appraise implementation studies;
- To encourage students to reflect about the factors influencing the implementation of EBP in practice.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Define implementation science and other related terminologies;
- Critically appraise the need for implementation science in healthcare;
- Compare and contrast different implementation models, theories and frameworks (e.g. RE-AIM, EPIS, PARIHS, CFIR);
- Distinguish between implementation studies and clinical research studies;
- Describe different types of dissemination and implementation research methodologies;
- List the steps for developing a scaling-up strategy; and
- Describe factors that can influence the implementation of EBP in practice.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Select and apply different implementation models, theories and frameworks to introduce evidence-based practices within his/her own organisation;
- Critically appraise implementation studies;
- Carry out a process evaluation of a named intervention using the Medical Research Council (MRC) guidance; and
- Apply qualitative methods in implementation studies.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts:

- Brownson, R. C., Colditz, G. A., & Proctor, E. K. (Eds.). (2018). Dissemination and implementation research in health: translating science to practice. Oxford University Press.
- Bauer, M. S., Damschroder, L., Hagedorn, H., Smith, J., & Kilbourne, A. M. (2015). An introduction to implementation science for the non-specialist. BMC psychology, 3(1), 32.
- Eccles, M. P., & Mittman, B. S. (2006). Welcome to implementation Science. Implementation Science, 1(1).
- Nilsen P. Making sense of implementation theories, models and frameworks. Implement Sci. 2015;10:53

Supplementary Readings:

- Øvretveit J. Evaluating improvement and implementation for health. Berkshire: Open University Press; 2014. Ch. 10 Evaluating implementation
- Moullin J, Dickson K, Stadnick N, Rabin B & Aarons G (2019). Systematic Review of the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment, (EPIS) Framework. Implementation Science, 14(1), 1
- Implementation Science - Open access journal : https://implementationscience.biomedcentral.com/

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture, Ind Study & Ind Online Learning

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Presentation SEM1 No 25%
Online Moderated Discussions and Postings SEM1 No 25%
Assignment SEM1 Yes 50%

 
LECTURER/S Anthony Scerri

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit