Abstract
BackgroundImplementation science in healthcare is an evolving discipline in German-speaking countries. In 2015, the Medical Faculty of the University of Heidelberg, Germany, implemented a two-year full-time Master of Science program Health Services Research and Implementation Science. The curriculum introduces implementation science in the context of a broader program that also covers health services research, healthcare systems, research methods, and generic academic skills. Our aim was to assess the expectations of different stakeholder groups regarding the master’s program.MethodsAn online survey listing desired competencies of prospective graduates was developed and administered to four groups: national experts in the field (including potential employers of graduates), teaching staff, enrolled students, and prospective students (N = 169). Competencies were extracted from the curriculum’s module handbook. A five-point Likert scale was used for the assessment of 42 specific items. Data were analyzed descriptively.ResultsA total of 83 people participated in the survey (response rate 49%). The online survey showed a strong agreement across the groups concerning the desired competencies of graduates. About two-thirds of the listed competencies (27 items) were felt to be crucial or very important by 80% or more of participants, with little difference between stakeholder groups. Of the eight items specifically related to implementation in practice, six were in this category. Knowledge of implementation strategies (90% very important), knowledge of barriers and enablers of implementation (89%), and knowledge of evidence-based practice (89%) were the top priorities.ConclusionsThe master’s program is largely orientated towards the desired competencies of graduates according to students, teaching staff, and national experts.
Highlights
Implementation science in healthcare is an evolving discipline in German-speaking countries
There is a range of educational programs on implementation science in healthcare, most of which have the format of short courses that are either stand-alone courses or are integrated into larger educational programs with a different focus [1, 2]
The aim of the study presented in this paper was to assess the expectations of various stakeholder groups regarding needed competencies of prospective graduates
Summary
Implementation science in healthcare is an evolving discipline in German-speaking countries. In 2015, the Medical Faculty of the University of Heidelberg, Germany, implemented a two-year full-time Master of Science program Health Services Research and Implementation Science. The curriculum introduces implementation science in the context of a broader program that covers health services research, healthcare systems, research methods, and generic academic skills. In Germany, it has only been in Ullrich et al Implementation Science (2017) 12:55 science, embedded in a broader curriculum that covers health services research, healthcare systems, research methods, and generic academic skills. The university training of this four-year bachelor program focuses on interprofessional patient care and covers the basics of health science [5] The success of this program as well as the shortage of graduate training in health science in Germany led to the initiative to develop a consecutive master’s program. The second cohort started in October 2016 and comprises 23 students
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