Course syllabus for Theories and Methods for Implementation and Evaluation

Specific entry requirements

A Bachelor's degree or a professional degree equivalent to a Swedish Bachelor's degree of at least 180 credits in public health science, healthcare or other relevant social sciences subject area. And proficiency in English equivalent to English B/English 6.

That the student has completed courses with approved results equivalent of 45 credits at the Master's Programme in Public Health Sciences, specialisation Health Promotion and Prevention.

Outcomes

After completion of the course, students should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• Compare theories, models and frameworks in implementation research and practice
• Describe key elements of a complex intervention 

Competence and skills

• Apply quantitative and qualitative methods in implementation research
• Develop a program theory for an implementation study based on determinants
• Design a process and outcome evaluation of a complex intervention

Judgement and approach

• Critically assess different study designs and hybrid effectiveness–implementation studies with regard to their strengths, limitations and ethical aspects
• Propose an evidence-informed approach to building implementation capacity at scale

Content

The aim of this course is to give master students skills to bring research to practice by applying an evidence-based approach to health promotion including implementation and evaluation of complex interventions and how to plan and evaluate wide-scale implementation in society. The content focuses on the following:

• The roadmap from efficacy trials to wide-scale implementation
• Theories, models and frameworks in health promotion research and practice
• Design and evaluation of complex interventions regarding intervention components, implementation strategies, mechanisms, outcomes, and sustainability
• Context and equity determinants, and the need for adaptation of interventions
• Participatory approaches in health promotion
• Quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods in process evaluation
• Societal interventions for public health and environmental sustainability
• Hybrid studies and reporting guidelines in implementation research
• Capacity building for scaling up complex interventions

Teaching methods

Lectures, small group seminars and group work, to promote a reflective, analytical and critical approach towards implementation and evaluation of public health interventions. The lectures provide the students with knowledge on implementation and evaluation. The group work will provide the opportunity for students to explore lecture themes in more detail and apply the knowledge gained. Students will work in teams to critique public health interventions regarding methods and conclusions. Students will be asked to consider the strengths and weaknesses of the methods used, the evidence produced and present their findings to the group. All teachers in the course are active researchers in the field of intervention and implementation research. Students are expected to undertake self-directed learning alongside contact time, which may include reading, critical analysis and assignments.

Examination

Mandatory lectures are marked in the schedule.

The examination consists of two parts both required to pass the course:

1. Weekly mandatory group assignments with oral presentation and peer review in class. There will be four group assignments based on literature. The group work will be graded with Pass or Fail.

2. An individual written home assignment describing real-world health promotion projects where the student describes and critically appraises the steps of the planning, implementation, evaluation and wide-scale dissemination of an intervention. The assignment will be graded as Pass, Pass with Distinction or Fail. In case of Fail on the individual written assignment, completion of the grade up to a passing grade can be allowed if the student has answered all questions and is close to the limit of passing. The assignment must be submitted according to the course leader´s instructions.

Compulsory participation
The course will start with a mandatory introductory lecture. Presence and active participation during the reporting of the group assignments is also compulsory. The examiner assesses if, and in that case how absence from compulsory educational elements can be compensated for. Before the student has participated in the compulsory educational elements or compensated absence in accordance with the course examiner's instructions, the final course results will not be reported. Absence from a compulsory educational component may imply that the student cannot compensate for missed compulsory educational elements until the next time the course is given.

Limitation of number of occasions to write the exam:
Students who have not passed the regular examination are entitled to participate in five more examinations. If the student has not passed the exam after four participations, he/she is encouraged to visit the study advisor. If the student has failed six examinations/tests, no additional examination or new admission is provided.
The number of times that the student has participated in one and the same examination is regarded as an examination session. Submission of a blank examination is regarded as an examination. An examination for which the student registered but not participated in will not be counted as an examination.

If there are special reasons, or a need for adaptation for a student with a disability, the examiner may decide to deviate from the syllabus's regulations on the examination form, the number of examination opportunities, the possibility of supplementation or exemptions from the compulsory section/s of the course etc. Content and learning outcomes as well as the level of expected skills, knowledge and abilities may not be changed, removed or reduced.

Transitional provisions

Examination will be provided during a time of two years after a possible cancellation of the course. Examination can take place according to an earlier literature list during a time of one year after the date when a major renewal of the literature list has been made.

Other directives

Course evaluation will be carried out in accordance with the guidelines established by the Committee for Higher Education.
The course language is English.

Literature and other teaching aids

Mandatory literature

• Moore, G F, Process evaluation of complex interventions: Medical Research Council guidance, 2015 Included in: BMJ: British medical journal, London : British Medical Association, 1988- ISSN: 0959-8146, LIBRIS-ID: 8263868, http://www.bmj.com/, (2015) 
• Dissemination and implementation research in health: translating science to practice, Brownson, Ross C.; Colditz, Graham A.; Proctor, Enola Knisley, Third edition: New York, NY : Oxford University Press, [2023] - xxv, 684 pages ISBN: 9780197660690, LIBRIS-ID: r8bb5gk2psw4v4v0, https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.proxy.kib.ki.se/lib/ki/detail.action?docID=7273900 

Extra material will be specified during the course