Fundamentals of Implementation Science

Overview

In the United States, it’s estimated that it takes an average of 17 years from discovery of an intervention to its implementation at scale. This is called the know-do gap. For interventions outside of the US, this know-do gap is even larger. The goal of implementation science is to close the know-do gap.

In this course, you will learn how to use a systematic, scientific approach to find out what works and translate this information into on-the-ground policies and programs for those who need it. By the end, you will know how to apply high quality evaluation and assessment methods to your health interventions and identify and address the barriers to effective replication and scale-up of evidence-based interventions. The purpose of this course is to provide practical implementation science training for health professionals working in global health settings, particularly low and middle income country settings.

The course has recently been updated and revised, with new lectures and additional case studies developed by implementation science experts at the University of Washington. We have also increased the size of local site groups from 40 to 60 participants.

Format

This online course has video lectures, readings, discussion forums, quizzes, and a final project.

You can participate in this course as an independent participant or as part of a site with five or more people. We encourage participation as a group because it provides a forum for discussing course concepts and applying them to the local setting and customs. If you can’t join a group, the discussion boards can provide that forum.

The course is taught in English. Participants should be comfortable with written and spoken English.

Eligibility

To be admitted to the course you must have a master’s degree in a health-related field or in the social sciences, or equivalent professional experience. Graduate students enrolled at the University of Washington can register for GH 541 Fundamentals of Implementation Science during spring quarter course via MyUW.

Sites can register between July 9-31, and then prospective participants will apply between August 2-22, 2019.