PRECONFERENCE WORKSHOPS

Description

Despite the growing body of research on effective programs, treatments, and innovations, many never make it into routine use—a challenge known as the know-do gap. Implementation Science is the study of methods that support the integration of research knowledge into everyday practice, policy, and service delivery.

This half-day workshop opens with a concise lecture on foundational concepts in Implementation Science, featuring the Basel Heptagon. The Basel Heptagon framework delineates essential elements for bridging the gap between research evidence and routine healthcare practice. Participants will gain a clear understanding of these elements and the challenges involved in Implementation Science. Following this, we will explore four key topics in Implementation Science, each grounded in a case study and supported by participatory exercises designed to collaboratively reinforce and deepen understanding of the content:

Key topics

• Stakeholder engagement: Explore the roles stakeholders play throughout implementation processes and review a commonly used approach for identifying and involving relevant stakeholders.
• Contextual analysis: Learn about the importance of context in implementation processes and a framework that helps understand factors influencing the implementation of clinical interventions.
• Implementation strategies: Discover what implementation strategies are, why they matter, and how they are developed and applied effectively within Implementation Science.
• Implementation outcomes: Understand what implementation outcomes are, explore the different types, learn how these outcomes are selected in implementation research, and discover how they can be measured. You will be introduced to a framework that guides this understanding.

Pre-reading materials will be provided to registered participants in advance to support foundational understanding and enrich workshop engagement.

Aim

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

• Explain the role and relevance of Implementation Science in addressing the know-do gap.
• Describe key components of an Implementation Science approach, including stakeholder engagement, contextual analysis, strategy selection, and outcome measurement.
• Explore how selected frameworks and methods can be used through brief, applied exercises.

Lead

Kathrin Blum, Institute for Implementation Science in Health Care, University of Zurich

Juliane Mielke, Institute of Nursing Science, Department Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel

Sarah Serhal, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva

This workshop is designed for practitioners and will focus on the application of Implementation Science principles into practice. Those who are interested or involved in implementing interventions in practice are welcome to participate. There is no need for a scientific background or pre-knowledge of Implementation Science.

Description

An introduction into applied Implementation Science, the core concepts, (basic) methods and tools will be provided to address implementation challenges in real-world settings. Participants prepare for the workshop by bringing an intervention that they wish to implement or an intervention that failed implementation in their own setting. Instructions will be provided prior to the workshop. During the workshop, a five-step approach will be used to provide theoretical knowledge on basic implementation science principles and to develop an implementation plan for the own implementation challenges to take “home”.

Aim

• Participants will learn basic Implementation Science principles
• Participants learn how Implementation Science principles are applicable to and can be readily applied in real-world scenarios.
• Participants will be guided through the process of applying these principles, using a step-by-step approach

Lead

Dr. Lotte Verweij, Institute for Implementation Science in Health Care, University of Zurich, Center for Clinical Nursing Science, University Hospital Zurich
Marta Castro, Center for Clinical Nursing Science, University Hospital Zurich, and
Dr. Suzanne Dhaini, Clinical Nursing Science, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Nursing Science, Department Public Health, University of Basel

Description

This workshop explores how design and design science can strengthen implementation science by bridging the gap between innovation and sustained change in practice. While many healthcare projects generate promising prototypes or proof of concepts, moving from pilot to a scalable, equitable, and sustainable implementation remains challenging. Drawing on human-centred design, co-creation, and interdisciplinary innovation, this workshop introduces participants to practical tools and methods that embed stakeholder needs into every stage of implementation. We will address how design thinking helps navigate ethical questions, ensures solutions align with personal preferences as well as contextual factors, and enhances adoption, maintenance, and scale-up. Participants will apply design science principles to practical implementation challenges, developing strategies to translate innovative ideas into real-world healthcare improvements. The session is aimed at participants familiar with basic implementation science concepts; no prior experience in design or design science is required.

Aim

• Understand the core principles of design science and its relevance to implementation research.
• Explore how human-centred, evidence-based (co-)design can enhance healthcare interventions and implementation science projects.
• Identify key tools and methodologies from design science and design research that support innovation in projects.
• Apply design science concepts to implementation challenges, translating user and stakeholder needs into practical solutions.

Lead

Prof. Dr. Anna Lisa Martin-Niedecken, Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK)
Dr. Bastiaan Van Grootven, Institute of Nursing Science, University of Basel

Description

Are you interested in making your implementation studies more efficient with easy-to-use and accessible everyday technologies, such as smartphone-delivered implementation interventions or evaluations?

Then join us for this interactive workshop where you will discover how everyday technology can support your implementation studies. With the help of a hands-on tutorial, you will learn how to use a sophisticated no-code technology to quickly design interventions for change or process, formative or summative evaluations tailored to your specific needs. No programming experience is required. Collaborate with peers in groups, exchange lessons learned, and share your thoughts about where technology will likely play a role in your future implementation study.

Aim

• Understand how everyday technology can support implementation studies
• Learn how to use a no-code technology for your next implementation study
• Design a specific intervention or evaluation with the no-code technology
• Share your lessons learned about potential future technology use

Lead

Prof. Dr. Tobias Kowatsch, Institute for Implementation Science in Health Care, University of Zurich & School of Medicine, University of St.Gallen

PDF Full Program (2025/11/24) (PDF, 1 MB)