Use of concept mapping to characterize relationships among implementation strategies and assess their feasibility and importance: results from the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) study

• DOI: 10.1186/s13012-015-0295-0
• Publication Date: 2015-08-06T08:59:50Z
• Authors: Thomas J. Waltz; Byron J. Powell; Monica M. Matthieu; Laura J. Damschroder; Matthew J. Chinman; Jeffrey L. Smith; Enola K. Proctor; JoAnn E. Kirchner
• Keywords: Implementation research; Rubric; Best practice

Poor terminological consistency for core concepts in implementation science has been widely noted as an obstacle to effective meta-analyses. This inconsistency is also a barrier those seeking guidance from the research literature when developing and planning initiatives. The Expert Recommendations Implementing Change (ERIC) study aims address one area of inconsistency: discrete strategies involving process or action used support practice change. present report on second stage ERIC project that focuses providing initial validation compilation 73 were identified first phase.Purposive sampling was recruit panel experts clinical (N = 35). These key stakeholders concept mapping sorting rating activities place into similar groups rate each strategy's relative importance feasibility. Multidimensional scaling analysis provided quantitative representation relationships among strategies, all but which found be conceptually distinct others. Hierarchical cluster supported organizing 9 categories. ratings data reflect most important feasible.This provides within being distinct. categorization strategy feasibility may facilitate search for, selection of, are best suited efforts particular setting.