Variation in research designs used to test the effectiveness of dissemination and implementation strategies: A review
Date
2018Journal
Frontiers in Public HealthPublisher
Frontiers Media S. AType
Article
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Background: The need for optimal study designs in dissemination and implementation (D & I) research is increasingly recognized. Despite the wide range of study designs available for D & I research, we lack understanding of the types of designs and methodologies that are routinely used in the field. This review assesses the designs and methodologies in recently proposed D & I studies and provides resources to guide design decisions. Methods: We reviewed 404 study protocols published in the journal Implementation Science from 2/2006 to 9/2017. Eligible studies tested the efficacy or effectiveness of D & I strategies (i.e., not effectiveness of the underlying clinical or public health intervention); had a comparison by group and/or time; and used ≥1 quantitative measure. Several design elements were extracted: design category (e.g., randomized); design type [e.g., cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT)]; data type (e.g., quantitative); D & I theoretical framework; levels of treatment assignment, intervention, and measurement; and country in which the research was conducted. Each protocol was double-coded, and discrepancies were resolved through discussion. Results: Of the 404 protocols reviewed, 212 (52%) studies tested one or more implementation strategy across 208 manuscripts, therefore meeting inclusion criteria. Of the included studies, 77% utilized randomized designs, primarily cluster RCTs. The use of alternative designs (e.g., stepped wedge) increased over time. Fewer studies were quasi-experimental (17%) or observational (6%). Many study design categories (e.g., controlled pre-post, matched pair cluster design) were represented by only one or two studies. Most articles proposed quantitative and qualitative methods (61%), with the remaining 39% proposing only quantitative. Half of protocols (52%) reported using a theoretical framework to guide the study. The four most frequently reported frameworks were Consolidated Framework for Implementing Research and RE-AIM (n = 16 each), followed by Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services and Theoretical Domains Framework (n = 12 each). Conclusion: While several novel designs for D & I research have been proposed (e.g., stepped wedge, adaptive designs), the majority of the studies in our sample employed RCT designs. Alternative study designs are increasing in use but may be underutilized for a variety of reasons, including preference of funders or lack of awareness of these designs. Promisingly, the prevalent use of quantitative and qualitative methods together reflects methodological innovation in newer D & I research. Copyright 2018 Mazzucca, Tabak, Pilar, Ramsey, Baumann, Kryzer, Lewis, Padek, Powell and Brownson.Sponsors
Support for this project came from National Cancer Institute (5R25CA171994-02) and the National Institute of Mental Health (5R25MH080916). Additional support came from the National Institute of Mental Health (5P30 MH068579, 5R25MH080916); the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health (5R01CA160327); the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK Grant Number 1P30DK092950); the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health (K12DA041449); the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at the National Institutes of Health (3U01HL13399402S1); the National Human Genome Research Institute at the National Institutes of Health (1R01HG00935101A1); Washington University Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences grant UL1 TR000448 and KL2 TR000450 from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences; and grant funding from the Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital.Identifier to cite or link to this item
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85045252947&doi=10.3389%2ffpubh.2018.00032&partnerID=40&md5=6c7ec8a5b476966b577058283446c9f8; http://hdl.handle.net/10713/9484ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.3389/fpubh.2018.00032
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