| Summary: | Background: Recent reviews of the use and application of implementation frameworks in implementation efforts
highlight the limited use of frameworks, despite the value in doing so. As such, this article aims to provide
recommendations to enhance the application of implementation frameworks, for implementation researchers,
intermediaries, and practitioners.
Discussion: Ideally, an implementation framework, or multiple frameworks should be used prior to and throughout
an implementation effort. This includes both in implementation science research studies and in real-world
implementation projects. To guide this application, outlined are ten recommendations for using implementation
frameworks across the implementation process. The recommendations have been written in the rough
chronological order of an implementation effort; however, we understand these may vary depending on the
project or context: (1) select a suitable framework(s), (2) establish and maintain community stakeholder
engagement and partnerships, (3) define issue and develop research or evaluation questions and hypotheses, (4)
develop an implementation mechanistic process model or logic model, (5) select research and evaluation methods
(6) determine implementation factors/determinants, (7) select and tailor, or develop, implementation strategy(s), (8)
specify implementation outcomes and evaluate implementation, (9) use a framework(s) at micro level to conduct
and tailor implementation, and (10) write the proposal and report. Ideally, a framework(s) would be applied to each
of the recommendations. For this article, we begin by discussing each recommendation within the context of
frameworks broadly, followed by specific examples using the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment
(EPIS) framework.
Summary: The use of conceptual and theoretical frameworks provides a foundation from which generalizable
implementation knowledge can be advanced. On the contrary, superficial use of frameworks hinders being able to
use, learn from, and work sequentially to progress the field. Following the provided ten recommendations, we hope
to assist researchers, intermediaries, and practitioners to improve the use of implementation science frameworks.
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