Bringing it home: expanding the local reach of dissemination and implementation training via a university-based workshop.

Morrato EH1,2, Rabin B3,4,5,6, Proctor J7, Cicutto LC8,9, Battaglia CT3,5,6,8, Lambert-Kerzner A3,5,6, Leeman-Castillo B10, Prahl-Wretling M3, Nuechterlein B7, Glasgow RE4, Kempe A4.

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Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Currently, national training programs do not have the capacity to meet the growing demand for dissemination and implementation(D&I) workforce education and development. The Colorado Research in Implementation Science Program (CRISP) developed and delivered an introductory D&I workshop adapted from national programs to extend training reach and foster a local learning community for D&I.

METHODS:

To gauge interest and assess learning needs, a pre-registration survey was administered. Based on feedback, a 1.5-day workshopwas designed. Day 1 introduced D&I frameworks, strategies, and evaluation principles. Local and national D&I experts provided ignite-style talks on key lessons followed by panel discussion. Breakout sessions discussed community engagement and applying for D&I grants. A workbook was developed to enhance the training and provided exercises for application to an individual's projects. Day 2 offered expert-led mentoring sessions with selected participants who desired advanced instruction. Two follow-up surveys (immediate post-workshop, 6 months) assessed knowledge gained from participation and utilization of workshop content.

RESULTS:

Ninety-three workshop registrants completed an assessment survey to inform workshop objectives and curriculum design; 43 % were new and 54 % reported a basic understanding of the D&I field. Pre-registrants intended to use the training to "apply for a D&I grant" (73 %); "incorporate D&I into existing projects" (76 %), and for quality improvement (51 %). Sixty-eight individuals attended Day 1; 11 also attended Day 2 mentoring sessions. In the 1-week post-workshop survey (n = 34), 100 % strongly agreed they were satisfied with the training; 97 % strongly agreed the workshop workbook was a valuable resource. All Day 2 participants strongly agreed that working closely with faculty and experts increased their overall confidence. In the 6-month follow-up evaluation (n = 23), evidence of new D&I-related manuscripts and grant proposals was found. Training materials were published online ( www.ucdenver.edu/implementation/workshops ) and disseminated via the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical and Translational Science Awards Consortium. To sustain reach, CRISP adapted the materials into an interactive e-book ( www.CRISPebooks.org ) and launched a new graduate course.