Implementation and improvement science researchers King’s Improvement Science and ARC South London have developed an interactive resource to support the rapid implementation and evaluation of health and social care innovations, interventions and new services during, and after, the Covid-19 pandemic.
The need for rapid and successful implementation and evaluation of interventions and services during the current pandemic has been unprecedented. But research has found that during even normal times, evidence-based interventions and services consistently fail to be implemented into routine practice and policy. And that even when such interventions are implemented, this is a hugely effortful and typically slow process.
The new resource is based on lessons from implementation and improvement sciences. It aims to provide an accessible guide and support for health and social care staff and managers through key lessons in implementing change, from understanding early adoption to supporting ongoing implementation, to keeping things going or deciding to stop. To facilitate continuous learning and improvement, the resource encourages a reflective approach to both implementation and evaluation.
The development of the resource was led by Dr Louise Hull, deputy director of the Centre for Implementation Science and was a collaborative effort, including researchers from King’s Improvement Science, funded by King’s Health Partners, and the Health Innovation Network.
Dr Hull says: “We hope this resource will help those grappling with the challenges of implementing and evaluating change during these unprecedented times.”
“The resource offers simple and practical advice to support rapid and successful change,” explains Dr Hull. “For example, by highlighting factors that are likely to affect implementation efforts, the need to be mindful of the unintended consequences of implementation efforts, and also the need to monitor and consider de-implementing Covid-19 specific interventions or services as the pandemic evolves."
Download the resource here
