Implementation Science (IMPLMT SCI)

Instructor(s): Sujatha Sankaran

This course teaches the practical competencies around improving the delivery and scale-up of evidence-based interventions in domestic and global health contexts. The course aim is for students to learn practical skills on how to identify gaps between research and practice, design strategies to promote effective and equitable implementation, and evaluate impact across health systems and community settings.

Instructor(s): Starley Shade, Joelle Brown

Provides a foundation in study designs and methods commonly applied in implementation research, including hybrid effectiveness-implementation, experimental (pragmatic trials, cluster randomized trials, stepped wedge trials), quasi-experimental (pre-post, interrupted time series), and optimization designs (factorial, MOST, SMART). For each design, learners will assess key features, common pitfalls, and strategies to improve internal and external validity. Study Design=2 units; Analysis lab=1 unit

Instructor(s): Rachel King, Priya Shete

This course will familiarize students with approaches to evaluating an evidence-informed health program or intervention using an implementation science lens. Learners will develop an evaluation plan that uses appropriate evaluation frameworks to guide the systematic collection of data to: 1) understand if and how a program/implementation strategy is meeting its stated goals and objectives; 2) improve program/implementation strategy effectiveness; and/or 3) make decisions about future programming

Instructor(s): Meghana Gadgil

This course introduces the human-centered design approach to problem-solving in public health and medicine. Trainees learn to apply a service design process focusing on empathy, translating needs into solution requirements, creative ideation, prototype development & testing, and implementation planning. It integrates implementation science principles and approaches. Graduate Division students can choose a letter grade or P/NP.

Instructor(s): Andrew Kerkhoff, Adithya Cattamanchi

This online course covers strategies to accelerate evidence translation into practice, policy, and public health. Key concepts include community engagement, behavior change theory, and implementation strategy design and evaluation. Scholars create protocols to facilitate health intervention uptake. Graduate Division students can opt for a letter grade or P/NP.

Instructor(s): Matthew Spinelli

This course trains students to design interventions for individual health behavior change while targeting multiple determinants: interpersonal and system/community/structural levels. Students apply behavior change theories and implementation frameworks to their own work. Assignments include case studies and discussions with class colleagues, focusing on real-world applications to enhance understanding. Graduate Division students may take this course for a letter grade or P/NP.

Instructor(s): Laura Schmidt

This course surveys a range of translational tools at the health care system level to promote the adoption of evidence-based medicine by providers and delivery systems. You will learn strategies for change in the broader context of sociological theories of organizational behavior and policy implementation. You will also focus your learning on translational tools used by stakeholders outside of health care organizations to promote the adoption of clinical innovations within organizations.

Instructor(s): Sara Ackerman

This course trains students in collaborating with patients, the public, and community organizations in health research and intervention design. Engagement strategies are taught via readings, guest speakers, case studies, and online discussions. Trainees apply participatory research methods to their ongoing or planned projects to adapt interventions to real-world contexts. Graduate Division students can choose a letter grade or P/NP.

Instructor(s): Beth Griffiths

This course will focus on the policy process and strategies for collecting and disseminating research findings to inform and influence that process. The course will be taught through a series of videos and guided readings delivered by faculty with extensive experience at the federal, state, and local level in health care policy.

Instructor(s): Patience Afulani, Alison El Ayadi

This course covers general principles of mixed methods research designs through readings, lectures, case studies, and online discussion. Trainees are oriented to diverse mixed methods designs and strategies for integrating quantitative and qualitative study components, application of theoretical frameworks, benefits and challenges of mixed methods research, and key design and methodological considerations. They gain hands-on experience by designing and planning a mixed methods research project.

Instructor(s): Sara Ackerman, Kim Koester

This course provides training in the use of qualitative methods in clinical, health services and implementation research. Through readings, lectures, case studies, and online discussions, students will gain basic skills in conducting interviews, focus groups, observations, and qualitative data analysis. The course will also cover sampling and recruitment strategies, working with theoretical frameworks, and publishing qualitative and mixed methods findings.