Introduction to Implementation Science - Theory and Design

Fall 2023 (2 units)

This course provides a foundation for students to design and evaluate strategies to accelerate the translation of evidence into practice, policy, and public health. This course will provide an introduction to the use of implementation science methods to identify and target barriers and enablers of the sustained uptake of proven health interventions. Concepts and methods covered include community engagement, individual and organizational behavior change theory, intervention design and evaluation frameworks, and study design. In addition to didactic work, scholars are guided through the creation of a protocol aimed towards facilitating uptake of their chosen health intervention.

Objectives

The objectives for this course are for participants to:

  • Identify and justify health interventions that are ready for translation;
  • Apply a conceptual framework for translating health interventions into practice, policy and public health;
  • Apply theory and evidence to the design of more effective implementation strategies; and
  • Evaluate and analyze implementation strategies using a combination of outcomes and techniques.

Prerequisites

None

Faculty

Course Director:

Adithya Cattamanchi, MD

Professor, Medicine
email:[email protected]
Course Co-Director:

Priya Shete, MD, MPH

Associate Professor, Medicine
email: [email protected]

Format

Weekly course content will be delivered via video lectures, case studies, and readings through the course CLE website. Students will post weekly assignments in online discussion forums, and provide/receive feedback through the online discussion forums and weekly virtual synchronous small group sessions facilitated by course faculty. Virtual synchronous small group sessions will be scheduled with students. 

Materials

Required readings will be posted on the course website.

Grading

Evaluation of student performance will be based on successful completion of weekly homework assignments and a final project, as well as participation in online discussion forums and virtual synchronous small group sessions. To pass the course, learners must:

  • Post weekly assignments in the online discussion forums by the designated due date and time in 8 of 10 weeks;
  • Provide thoughtful feedback via the online discussion forums to at least two others regarding their weekly assignments by the designated due date and time in 8 of 10 weeks;
  • Attend and participate in at least 8 of the 10 in-person weekly small group discussion sessions;
  • Submit a final completed protocol by the designated due date and time at the end of the course; and
  • Submit a thoughtful critique of a peer’s final protocol by the designated due date and time at the end of the course.

Only UCSF students (defined as individuals enrolled in UCSF degree or certificate programs) will receive academic credit for courses. Official transcripts are available to UCSF students only. A Certificate of Course Completion will be available upon request to individuals who are not UCSF students and satisfactorily pass all course requirements. 

UCSF Graduate Division Policy on Disabilities

To Enroll

ATCR and MAS students use the Student Portal

All other students can find registration information on the Implementation Science website