Value of implementation science and hybrid implementation research designs for nursing education research: A discussion paper

Abstract

Introduction: Nursing education research is complex and contextualized. The evaluation and impact of educational innovations on students, educators, and educational outcomes are influenced by the complexity of environments. Most interventional research in nursing is designed and implemented without considering the behavioral and contextual issues affecting educational innovations, uptake and change processes, and outcomes. Implementation science has emerged as a valuable methodology for designing and conducting interventional research that has the potential to translate evidence and innovations quickly into practice.

Purpose: This paper aims to explore the value of implementation science theories, models, and frameworks and hybrid designs for interventional nursing education research and illustrate how these can be used in nursing education research.

Methods: A brief overview of implementation science, the various types of theories, models and frameworks and Hybrid designs are provided. Illustrative examples demonstrating the incorporation of these methodologies in interventional nursing education research are provided.

Results: A brief overview of implementation and its key concepts namely context, implementation strategies, fidelity, outcomes, adaptation, and sustainability is provided. Three types of hybrid designs are discussed with examples in nursing education research.

Discussion: The implications of implementation science for nursing education research are: a) Accelerating uptake of innovations to improve educational outcomes, b) targeting systematic change in individual and organizational behaviour and c) ensuring the sustainability of teaching and learning innovations.

Conclusion: Incorporating implementation science in nursing education research can optimize the uptake of educational innovations in practice in a sustainable manner. Nurse educators should equip themselves with implementation science skills and develop competencies to enhance the delivery of effective and quality nursing education.

Keywords: Implementation research; Implementation science; Nursing education; Nursing education science.