D&I Competencies by Domain

*Expertise levels: B = Beginner; I = Intermediate; A = Advanced.

Section A: Definitions background and rationale

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

Section B: Theory and approaches

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

Section C: Design and analysis

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

Section D: Practice-based considerations

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