Longitudinal evaluation of a course to build core competencies in implementation practice

BACKGROUND: Few training opportunities are available for implementation practitioners; we designed the Practicing Knowledge Translation (PKT) to address this gap. The goal of PKT is to train practitioners to use evidence and apply implementation science in healthcare settings. The aim of this study was to describe PKT and evaluate participant use of implementation science theories, models, and frameworks (TMFs), knowledge, self-efficacy, and satisfaction and feedback on the course. METHODS: PKT was delivered to implementation practitioners between September 2015 and February 2016 through a 3-day workshop, 11 webinars. We assessed PKT using an uncontrolled before and after study design, using convergent parallel mixed methods. The primary outcome was use of TMFs in implementation projects. Secondary outcomes were knowledge and self-efficacy across six core competencies, factors related to each of the outcomes, and satisfaction with the course. Participants completed online surveys and semi-structured interviews at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: Participants (n = 15) reported an increase in their use of implementation TMFs (mean = 2.11; estimate = 2.11; standard error (SE) = 0.4; p = 0.03). There was a significant increase in participants’ knowledge of developing an evidence-informed, theory-driven program (ETP) (estimate = 4.10; SE = 0.37; p = 0.002); evidence implementation (estimate = 2.68; SE = 0.42; p < 0.001); evaluation (estimate = 4.43; SE = 0.36; p < 0.001); sustainability, scale, and spread (estimate = 2.55; SE = 0.34; p < 0.001); and context assessment (estimate = 3.86; SE = 0.32; p < 0.001). There was a significant increase in participants’ self-efficacy in developing an ETP (estimate = 3.81; SE = 0.34; p < 0.001); implementation (estimate = 3.01; SE = 0.36; p < 0.001); evaluation (estimate = 3.83; SE = 0.39; p = 0.002); sustainability, scale, and spread (estimate = 3.06; SE = 0.46; p = 0.003); and context assessment (estimate = 4.05; SE = 0.38; p = 0.016). CONCLUSION: Process and outcome measures collected indicated that PKT participants increased use of, knowledge of, self-efficacy in KT. Our findings highlight the importance of longitudinal evaluations of training initiatives to inform how to build capacity for implementers. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s13012-018-0800-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.