Training upcoming researchers in implementation science

Globally, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) lead to 41 million deaths per year (around 71% of all deaths), with 78% of these (32 million) occurring in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). While many effective interventions against NCDs exist, there are inequalities in coverage and outcomes, which are more likely due to a lack of appropriate implementation than a failure of the intervention.

Implementation science is commonly defined as “the scientific study of methods to promote the systematic uptake of research findings and other evidence-based practices into routine practice, and, hence, to improve the quality and effectiveness of health services and care”. It examines what works, for whom and under what circumstances, and how interventions can be adapted and scaled up in ways that are accessible and equitable.

Hence, implementation science can play an important role in informing policy and practice towards addressing the global NCD burden.

GACD delivers capacity through three main routes:

• Implementation Science Training School, conducted over 5 or more days

• Implementation Science Workshops, conducted over 2 days

• Implementation Science e-hub, a free online learning space for knowledge and skill development in implementation research, particularly in relation to chronic diseases and NCDs.

Key outcomes

These activities have led to many researchers being introduced to implementation science and associated research methods. Moreover, researchers have expanded their professional networks, built new collaborations, submitted new proposals and furthered their careers on the back of knowhow and skills gained through their training.

Opportunities for similar training are not widespread or accessible (– in terms of cost). Hence, the GACD has a crucial role to play in building capacity for implementation science, particularly in relation to NCD research and LMIC contexts.

Dr Catherine Kyobutungi, Executive Director of the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), Kenya, and faculty for the Implementation Science School in 2020 commented:

“That [capacity building] is part of the problem in the ecosystem. If you have people who don’t understand implementation science, they’ll never be competitive when it comes to grant applications. So the fact that they [GACD] are going out of their way to train upcoming researchers in different parts of the world in implementation science – I was like, wow, this is really great”.

Full case study: Implementation Science Impact