Enhancing D&I Capacity Through Duke University’s Implementation Science Research Collaborative

To enhance dissemination and implementation (D&I) science capacity within Duke University, the Duke Population Health Sciences department launched the Implementation Science Research Collaborative (INTERACT) in February 2021. INTERACT consists of a team of multidisciplinary researchers, including VA-affiliated faculty, as well as students and staff across multiple institutions who use implementation designs and outcomes to create and adapt implementation research studies. In addition to leading their own research, the INTERACT team collaborates with investigators, clinicians, and policymakers across Duke and beyond to bring evidence-based interventions, programs, and practices to life. In addition to improving societal health, these efforts enhance implementation science research to improve the adoption and sustainment of evidence.  

Over the past year, the INTERACT team has launched a free consultation series for clinical partners and researchers seeking D&I expertise; promoted D&I education through intentional outreach efforts, workshops, and seminars; served as mentors on early faculty and trainees’ career development proposals; and collaborated with other researchers, clinicians, and policymakers on extramural funding opportunities. Some of the specific offerings of the INTERACT leadership include the Dissemination, Implementation, and Improvement Science Workshop at the Duke Department of Population Health Sciences Summer Institute, as well as an annual Implementation Science course and multi-session training for staff on Qualitative Research in Implementation Science (in partnership with faculty from the School of Nursing).

Since its inception, INTERACT has: 1) led 22 consultations with clinical and research partners across the university, 2) developed and led 7 workshops and seminars focused on foundational principles and methods in implementation research, and 3) collaborated on 34 grants/proposals – 9 of these have been career development award submissions. Out of our 34 collaborations, 16 of these have been funded and involve INTERACT faculty and/or research staff.

As interest in integrating D&I into clinical and health services research rapidly accelerates, there is a need to develop effective models of D&I infrastructure. INTERACT demonstrates a promising approach to meeting this need. To collaborate with INTERACT, please connect with them on Twitter using the handle @INTERACT_Duke and/or contact Megan Oakes, MS, Senior Research Program Leader at megan.oakes@duke.edu. To learn more, please visit their website.

Author List:

• Lindsay Ballengee, PT, DPT, GCS (Co-first author) – PhD Student, Duke Department of Population Health Sciences

• Katherine Norman, PT, DPT, MS, OCS (Co-first author) – PhD Student, Duke Department of Population Health Sciences

• Megan Oakes, MS – Senior Research Program Leader, Duke Department of Population Health Sciences

• Devon Check, PhD – Assistant Professor, Duke Department of Population Health Sciences; Leader of INTERACT Clinical Initiatives

• Heather King, PhD – Assistant Professor, Duke Department of Population Health Sciences; Leader of INTERACT Education and Outreach Initiatives

• Leah Zullig, PhD – Associate Professor, Duke Department of Population Health Sciences; Director, INTERACT