Assessing Context

Collect information to identify and appraise barriers and facilitators to implementation and delivery of the innovation.

Assessing context is foundational within implementation science (Damschroder, Aron, et al., 2009; Nilsen & Bernhardsson, 2019; J. D. Smith et al., 2020; Wierenga et al., 2013) and ideally utilizes a determinant framework to guide the assessment (Damschroder, 2020; Nilsen, 2015; Nilsen & Bernhardsson, 2019). Assessments should consider all salient contextual factors — both modifiable and non-modifiable. Workarounds can be developed for non-modifiable factors, and strategies can be targeted to modify factors (e.g., increase the knowledge of deliverers about the innovation).

Qualitative coding guidelines that are aligned with the Updated CFIR will be added in the future.

As we become aware of measures, we will post them here. Please contact us with updates.

Damschroder, L. J., Aron, D. C., Keith, R. E., Kirsh, S. R., Alexander, J. A., & Lowery, J. C. (2009). Fostering implementation of health services research findings into practice: A consolidated framework for advancing implementation science. Implementation Science: IS, 4, 50. https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-5908-4-50.

Damschroder, L. J., Reardon, C. M., Opra Widerquist, M. A., & Lowery, J. (2022). Conceptualizing outcomes for use with the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR): The CFIR Outcomes Addendum. Implementation Science, 17(1), 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-021-01181-5.

Nilsen, P., & Bernhardsson, S. (2019). Context matters in implementation science: A scoping review of determinant frameworks that describe contextual determinants for implementation outcomes. BMC Health Services Research, 19(1), 189. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-4015-3.

Smith, J. D., Li, D. H., & Rafferty, M. R. (2020). The Implementation Research Logic Model: A method for planning, executing, reporting, and synthesizing implementation projects. Implementation Science, 15(1), 84. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-020-01041-8.

Nilsen, P. (2015). Making sense of implementation theories, models and frameworks. Implementation Science, 10(1), 53.

Wierenga, D., Engbers, L. H., Van Empelen, P., Duijts, S., Hildebrandt, V. H., & Van Mechelen, W. (2013). What is actually measured in process evaluations for worksite health promotion programs: A systematic review. BMC Public Health, 13(1), 1190. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-1190.