Fostering international collaboration in implementation science and research: a concept mapping exploratory study

Simon Ducarroz,Henna Hasson,Cathleen Willging,Sigrid James,Gregory A. Aarons,Amy E. Green,Joanna C. Moullin,Chariz Seijo,Ulrica von Thiele Schwarz,Nick Sevdalis,Mark G. Ehrhart

doi:10.1186/s13104-019-4800-4

Abstract

ObjectiveInternational collaboration in science has received increasing attention given emphases on relevance, generalizability, and impact of research. Implementation science (IS) is a growing discipline that aims to translate clinical research findings into health services. Research is needed to identify efficient and effective ways to foster international collaboration in IS. Concept-mapping (CM) was utilized with a targeted sample for preliminary exploration of fostering international collaboration. Concept-mapping is a mixed-method approach (qualitative/quantitative) particularly suited for identifying essential themes and action items to facilitate planning among diverse stakeholders. We sought to identify key factors likely to facilitate productive and rewarding international collaborations in implementation research.ResultsWe identified eleven dimensions: Strategic Planning; Practicality; Define Common Principles; Technological Tools for Collaboration; Funding; Disseminate Importance of Fostering International Collaboration in IS; Knowledge Sharing; Innovative & Adaptive Research; Training IS Researchers; Networking & Shared Identity; Facilitate Meetings. Strategic Planning and Funding were highest rated for importance and Strategic Planning and Networking and Shared Identity were rated most feasible to institute. Fostering international collaboration in IS can accelerate the efficiency, relevance, and generalizability of implementation research. Strategies should be developed and tested to improve international collaborations and engage junior and experienced investigators in collaborations advancing implementation science and practice.

Highlights

Implementation science (IS) aims to translate research findings into health and social care
We identified eleven dimensions: Strategic Planning; Practicality; Define Common Principles; Technological Tools for Collaboration; Funding; Disseminate Importance of Fostering International Collaboration in IS; Knowledge Sharing; Innovative & Adaptive Research; Training IS Researchers; Networking & Shared Identity; Facilitate Meetings
The final model comprised 11 thematic clusters, each representing a key domain of fostering international collaboration in implementation science (FICIS), with a stress value of 0.30 indicating adequate fit (Fig. 1)

Summary

Introduction

Implementation science (IS) aims to translate research findings into health and social care. IS addresses the healthcare research-to-practice gap by assessing and Aarons et al BMC Res Notes (2019) 12:778. As a relatively new discipline, key theoretical frameworks strategies, theories, and measures are still being developed and refined [4, 10, 11]. To address the various challenges of translating research findings into practice, researchers must develop new approaches by incorporating knowledge from diverse perspectives [12]. Collaborations between implementation researchers working in different contexts can contribute to the development of novel and generalizable approaches. In an increasingly globalized world, collaborations must go beyond traditional boundaries to address barriers such as geopolitical and cultural differences and capitalize on shared learning and perspectives. Effective approaches and interventions may be discovered and advanced through cross-disciplinary collaborations in science [13–15]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion