Dissemination and implementation science activities across the Clinical Translational Science Award (CTSA) Consortium: Report from a survey of CTSA leaders.

Rowena J Dolor,Enola Proctor,Paul Meissner,Laura-Mae Baldwin,Kathleen R Stevens,Leslie R Boone

doi:10.1017/cts.2019.422

Abstract

Dissemination and implementation (D&I) science is not a formal element of the Clinical Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program, and D&I science activities across the CTSA Consortium are largely unknown. The CTSA Dissemination, Implementation, and Knowledge Translation Working Group surveyed CTSA leaders to explore D&I science-related activities, barriers, and needed supports, then conducted univariate and qualitative analyses of the data. Out of 67 CTSA leaders, 55.2% responded. CTSAs reported directly funding D&I programs (54.1%), training (51.4%), and projects (59.5%). Indirect support (e.g., promoted by CTSA without direct funding) for D&I activities was higher - programs (70.3%), training (64.9%), and projects (54.1%). Top barriers included funding (39.4%), limited D&I science faculty (30.3%), and lack of D&I science understanding (27.3%). Respondents (63.4%) noted the importance of D&I training and recommended coordination of D&I activities across CTSAs hubs (33.3%). These findings should guide CTSA leadership in efforts to raise awareness and advance the role of D&I science in improving population health.

Highlights

Dissemination and implementation (D&I) science is not a formal element of the Clinical Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program, and D&I science activities across the CTSA Consortium are largely unknown
It is likely that nonrespondent CTSAs would have an even lower rate of directly funding these D&I science activities
These CTSAs reported that a robust D&I science-experienced workforce, D&I training, and D&I tools were the top resources needed to overcome challenges and barriers to building capacity for D&I science at their institutions

Summary

Introduction

Dissemination and implementation (D&I) science is not a formal element of the Clinical Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program, and D&I science activities across the CTSA Consortium are largely unknown. CTSA recognition of the importance of D&I science has been spurred further by the 2013 assessment of CTSA program accomplishments, which pointed to the need for expanded activities to engage clinical stakeholders and move research into practice [2]. The National Center for Advancing Translational Strategic Plan includes implementation research in its Translational Science Spectrum [3] Federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the Veterans Administration have all responded with calls for D&I research by increasing the number of funding opportunities. PCORI primarily funds comparative effectiveness research, they have added specific funding opportunities for D&I research for former awardees to spread their innovations beyond the original project

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