§Implementation strategies are methods, actions, approaches or techniques that aim to improve the adoption, implementation and the sustainability of an intervention (Proctor 2013). Strategies can, for example,address issues of knowledge, skills and competences (educational), focus on behavioral change, or change organizational workflows, procedures, or funding. Strategies can address barriers at the level of individuals, groups and organizations, or health care system, as well as the implementation process itself or the practice, intervention or idea that is being implemented. A single method is referred to as a discrete implementation strategy. I In practice however, often multiple discrete strategies are combined into a multi-faceted implementation strategy to address multiple factors that influence the implementation process (Kirchner 2020). Commonly, selecting strategies starts with setting objectives and identifying and prioritizing barriers which are subsequently matched to potential strategies. Once selected, strategies need to be operationalized in to actionable work plans including a plan for monitoring progress. Involvement of stakeholders in this process is essential to optimize the fit of the selected strategy to the local context, needs and capabilities. Various methods and tools exist such as including Implementation mapping, CFIR-ERIC strategy matching tool, and ItFits-toolkit.

Articles

  • Fernandez, M. E., Ten Hoor, G. A., van Lieshout, S., Rodriguez, S. A., Beidas, R. S., Parcel, G., Ruiter, R. A. C., Markham, C. M., & Kok, G. (2019). Implementation Mapping: Using Intervention Mapping to Develop Implementation Strategies. Frontiers in public health, 7, 158. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2019.00158
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  • Nathan, N., Powell, B. J., Shelton, R. C., Laur, C. V., Wolfenden, L., Hailemariam, M., Yoong, S. L., Sutherland, R., Kingsland, M., Waltz, T. J., & Hall, A. (2022). Do the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) strategies adequately address sustainment?. Frontiers in health services, 2, 905909. https://doi.org/10.3389/frhs.2022.905909
  • Powell, B. J., Beidas, R. S., Lewis, C. C., Aarons, G. A., McMillen, J. C., Proctor, E. K., & Mandell, D. S. (2017). Methods to improve the selection and tailoring of implementation strategies. The journal of behavioral health services & research, 44(2), 177-194. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-015-9475-6
  • Powell, B. J., Waltz, T. J., Chinman, M. J., Damschroder, L. J., Smith, J. L., Matthieu, M. M., ... & Kirchner, J. E. (2015). A refined compilation of implementation strategies: results from the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) project. Implementation Science, 10(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-015-0209-1
  • Proctor, E. K., Powell, B. J., & McMillen, J. C. (2013). Implementation strategies: recommendations for specifying and reporting.Implementation Science,8(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-5908-8-139
  • Vis, C., Schuurmans, J., Aouizerate, B., Atipei Craggs, M., Batterham, P., Buhrmann, L., Calear, A., Cerga Pashoja, A., Christensen, H., Dozeman, E., Duedal Pedersen, C., Ebert, D. D., Etzelmueller, A., Fanaj, N., Finch, T. L., Hanssen, D., Hegerl, U., Hoogendoorn, A., Mathiasen, K.,…Riper, H. (2023). Effectiveness of Self-guided Tailored Implementation Strategies in Integrating and Embedding Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Routine Mental Health Care: Results of a Multicenter Stepped-Wedge Cluster Randomized Trial. J Med Internet Res, 25, e41532. https://doi.org/10.2196/41532
  • Waltz, T. J., Powell, B. J., Fernandez, M. E., Abadie, B., & Damschroder, L. J. (2019). Choosing implementation strategies to address contextual barriers: diversity in recommendations and future directions. Implement Sci, 14(1), 42. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-019-0892-4
  • Vis, C., van Bodegom-Vos, L., Hipple-Walters, B., Powell, B. J., Ista, E., & van Nassau, F. (2025). Applied methods for matching implementation strategies to determinants: a scoping review of scientific and grey literature, and qualitative exploration of practice experiences. Implementation science : IS, 10.1186/s13012-025-01477-w. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-025-01477-w

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