D&I Competencies by Domain
*Expertise levels: B = Beginner; I = Intermediate; A = Advanced.
Number | Competency | Expertise* |
A1 | Define and communicate D&I research terminology. | B |
A2 | Define what is and what is not D&I research. | B |
A3 | Differentiate between D&I research and other related areas, such as efficacy research and effectiveness research. | B |
A4 | Identify the potential impact of disseminating, implementing and sustaining effective interventions. | B |
A5 | Describe the range of expertise needed to conduct D&I research (e.g., mixed method experience, economic, organizational, policy, clinical). | B |
A6 | Determine which evidence-based interventions are worth disseminating and implementing. | I |
A7 | Assess, describe, and quantify (where possible) the context for effective D&I (setting characteristics, culture, capacity & readiness). | I |
A8 | Identify existing gaps in D&I research. | I |
A9 | Identify the potential impact of scaling down (aka de-implementing) an ineffective but often used intervention. | I |
A10 | Formulate methods to address barriers of D&I research. | I |
Number | Competency | Expertise* |
B1 | Describe a range of D&I strategies, models and frameworks. | B |
B2 | Identify appropriate conceptual models, frameworks, or program logic for D&I change. | I |
B3 | Identify core elements (effective ingredients) of effective interventions and recognize risks of making modifications to these. | I |
B4 | Describe a process for designing for dissemination (planning for adoption, implementation and sustainability during the intervention development stage). | I |
B5 | Describe the relationships between various organizational dimensions (e.g., climate, culture) and D&I research. | I |
B6 | Explain how knowledge from disciplines outside of health (e.g., business, marketing, and engineering) can help inform further trans-disciplinary efforts in D&I research. | I |
B7 | Identify and articulate the interplay between policy and organizational processes in D&I. | I |
Number | Competency | Expertise* |
C1 | Describe the core components of external validity and their relevance to D&I research. | B |
C2 | Identify common D&I measures & analytic strategies relevant for your research question(s). | B |
C3 | Identify and measure outcomes that matter to stakeholders, adopters and implementers. | I |
C4 | Describe the application and integration of mixed-methods (quantitative and qualitative) approaches in D&I research. | I |
C5 | Apply common D&I measures & analytic strategies relevant for your research question(s) within your model/framework. | I |
C6 | Identify possible methods to address external validity in study design reporting and implementation. | I |
C7 | List the potential roles of mediators and moderators in a D&I study. | I |
C8 | Identify and articulate the trade-offs between a variety of different study designs for D&I research. | I |
C9 | Describe how to frame and analyze the context of D&I as a complex system with interacting parts. | I |
C10 | Effectively integrate the concepts of sustainability/sustainment and the rationale behind them in D&I study design | I |
C11 | Describe gaps in D&I measurement and critically evaluate how to fill them. | A |
C12 | Effectively explain and incorporate concepts of de-adoption and de-implementation into D&I study design. | A |
C13 | Incorporate methods of economic evaluation (e.g., implementation costs, cost-effectiveness) in D&I study design. | A |
C14 | Evaluate and refine innovative scale-up and spread methods (e.g., technical assistance, interactive systems, novel incentives and ‘pull’ strategies).
| A |
Number | Competency | Expertise* |
D1 | Describe the importance of incorporating the perspectives of different stakeholder groups (e.g., patient/family; employers, payers, healthcare settings, public organizations, community and policy makers).
| B |
D2 | Describe the concept and measurement of fidelity. | B |
D3 | Articulate the strengths and weaknesses of participatory research in D&I research. | B |
D4 | Determine when engagement in participatory research is appropriate with D&I research. | I |
D5 | Describe the appropriate process for eliciting input from community-based practitioners for adapting an intervention. | I |
D6 | Identify and apply techniques for stakeholder analysis and engagement when implementing evidence-based practices. | I |
D7 | Identify a process for adapting an intervention and how the process is relevant to D&I research. | I |
D8 | Explain how to maintain fidelity of original interventions during the adaption process. | I |
D9 | Identify sites to participate in D&I studies and negotiate or provide incentives to secure their involvement. | I |
D10 | Identify and develop sustainable partnerships for D&I research. | I |
D11 | Describe how to measure successful partnerships for D&I research. | I |
D12 | Use evidence to evaluate and adapt D&I strategies for specific populations, settings, contexts, resources and/or capacities. | A |
Padek, M., Colditz, G., Dobbins, M. et al. Developing educational competencies for dissemination and implementation research training programs: an exploratory analysis using card sorts. Implementation Sci 10, 114 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-015-0304-3