TABLE 2.

OUTLINE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION AND PRACTICE COURSE AT THE JOHNS HOPKINS BLOOMBERG SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Week	Topic	Objectives for class session	Linkage to overall course learning objectives (from Box 1)
One	Defining and Conceptualizing Implementation	Define how implementation research and practice (IR&P) has evolved in recent years and how varying disciplines are contributing to IR&P. Articulate the unique focus and goals of IR&P. Identify the key stakeholders in IR&P. Explain the interplay between research and practice in IR&P and complementary roles of researchers and practitioners in implementation initiatives.	Linked to overall course learning objectives 1 and 7
	LAB: Description of an Implementation Issue	Conduct interview with identified implementers for a project in a specific program areas1. Describe an implementation issue based on the interviews. Assess the methodological and practice challenges in the implementation issue.
Two	Building Blocks of IR&P: Implementation Outcomes and Strategies	Describe outcomes that define the effect of implementation. Distinguish implementation outcomes from efficacy, service, and client outcomes. Describe other important variables that influence implementation. Describe common strategies for implementing public health interventions.	Linked to overall course learning objectives 2, 3, 4, and 7.
	LAB: Operationalizing the Building Blocks of IR&P	Articulate relevant outcomes and variables for the implementation project. Compare approaches for measuring the outcomes and variables of interest. Identify and prioritize relevant implementation strategies for the methodological and practice challenges in the implementation project.
Three	Methods I: Evidence & Research Questions in IR&P	Formulate implementation study aims, research questions, and hypotheses. Identify construct measures for addressing implementation research aims. Explain hierarchies of evidence in public health intervention	Linked to overall course learning objectives 2, 5, and 7.
	LAB: Development of Research Question and Specific Aims	Refine the description of the implementation issue for the implementation project using a problem statement development approach. Characterize specific aims for the implementation project assignment based on the problem statement. Link pre-identified implementation outcomes to your specific aims. Evaluate evidence to see whether there is supporting evidence to recommend voluntary counseling and testing for HIV using established evidence frameworks.
Four	Application of Theories & Conceptual Frameworks in IR&P	Describe the utility of frameworks and theories for IR&P. Describe common theories and framework relevant for IR&P in public health. Demonstrate how the theories discussed apply to the spread and sustained use of public health interventions (e.g. diffusion, dissemination, adaptation, and implementation). Identify the common themes across theories used in IR&P.	Linked to overall course learning objectives 1, 2, and 7.
	LAB: Developing a Conceptual Framework	Identify theories relevant to addressing the specific aims for the implementation project Draft a conceptual framework for the implementation project
Five	Applications of Theories to Policies and Programs	Articulate the purpose of theories in formulating implementation programs/policies and strategies. Explained relevant constructs relevant for implementation programs/policies and strategies. Describe relevant theories for formulating implementation programs/policies and strategies.	Linked to overall course learning objectives 1, 2, 4, and 7.
	LAB: Integrating relevant IR&P constructs and theories from literature	Identify, integrate, and synthesize relevant literature about the implementation project. Draft a background/introduction section for a grant proposal on the implementation project Use identified theories to refine the strategies for the implementation project. Incorporate relevant IR&P constructs into the conceptual framework described for the implementation project.
Six	Methods II: Study Designs for IR&P	Briefly describe relevant qualitative research designs in IR&P Describe established and emerging designs for quantitative studies in IR&P, including observational and experimental designs Highlight the differences between explanatory and pragmatic approaches Explain the connections among study aims, research questions, and study designs	Linked to overall course learning objectives 6 and 7.
	LAB: Describing Appropriate Research Methods	Identify relevant research designs for the questions to be addressed in the implementation project Describe the utility of this study design, the limitations, and potential improvements Describe the specific challenges of balancing internal and external validity with the chosen study design
Seven	Organizational Context: Assessing readiness for implementing change at the organizational level	Describe the nature and levels of organizational change in IR&P Describe concepts and approaches for assessing organizational readiness for implementing change Articulate some steps for implementing change within organizations	Linked to overall course learning objectives 2, 4 and 7
	LAB: Course overview	Review key concepts and approaches in IR&P from previous classes Review a prototype call for proposal for an implementation project and criteria for assessment Use key concepts and approaches discussed in class to address critical elements of the call for proposal
Eight	Students Presentations	Faculty and peer assessment of group presentations on grant proposals developed for the implementation project	Linked to overall course learning objective 7

¹Program areas: students were organized into eight groups based on their programmatic interests. The program areas were selected based on current research work being coordinated by faculty in the multidisciplinary team and these include: implementation of social support programs in the United States, implementation of gun policies in the United States, health services delivery in low and middle income countries (LMICs); improving the delivery of HIV-AIDS services in LMICs; implementation of mental health services in the United States and LMICs.