Toward an Evidence‐Based System for Innovation Support for Implementing Innovations with Quality: Tools, Training, Technical Assistance, and Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement

TLDR

Implementing innovations requires a support system that works with delivery entities to build capacity for quality implementation, yet the literature on such support systems has been underresearched and underdeveloped. EBSIS aims to strengthen research and practice of support to build delivery system capacity for quality implementation of innovations and to achieve better outcomes. EBSIS is guided by a logic model that prioritizes tools, training, technical assistance, and quality assurance/quality improvement, and employs the Getting To Outcomes accountability framework to identify and synthesize evidence for support. The authors conclude that EBSIS is at an early stage and recommend forming collaborative partnerships among researchers, practitioners, funders, and consumers to accelerate knowledge accumulation on support systems.

Abstract

An individual or organization that sets out to implement an innovation (e.g., a new technology, program, or policy) generally requires support. In the Interactive Systems Framework for Dissemination and Implementation, a Support System should work with Delivery Systems (national, state and/or local entities such as health and human service organizations, community-based organizations, schools) to enhance their capacity for quality implementation of innovations. The literature on the Support System [corrected] has been underresearched and under-developedThis article begins to conceptualize theory, research, and action for an evidence-based system for innovation support (EBSIS). EBSIS describes key priorities for strengthening the science and practice of support. The major goal of EBSIS is to enhance the research and practice of support in order to build capacity in the Delivery System for implementing innovations with quality, and thereby, help the Delivery System achieve outcomes. EBSIS is guided by a logic model that includes four key support components: tools, training, technical assistance, and quality assurance/quality improvement. EBSIS uses the Getting To Outcomes approach to accountability to aid the identification and synthesis of concepts, tools, and evidence for support. We conclude with some discussion of the current status of EBSIS and possible next steps, including the development of collaborative researcher-practitioner-funder-consumer partnerships to accelerate accumulation of knowledge on the Support System.