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Only one enrollment form needs to be completed for all desired courses.
Deadline:
03/01/2026
Format:
Online
Term Offered:
Spring
Overview
This course surveys a range of translational tools at the healthcare system level that can be used to promote the adoption of evidence-based medicine by providers and delivery systems. Strategies for change are presented in the broader context of sociological theories of organizational behavior and implementation studies. The focus of the first half of the course is on providing learners with tools for understanding and diagnosing problems in the key elements of healthcare organizations, including organizational structures and forms, organizational culture and climate, systems of power and control within healthcare organizations, and the organizational environment. Learning the tools of “organizational...
This course surveys a range of translational tools at the healthcare system level that can be used to promote the adoption of evidence-based medicine by providers and delivery systems. Strategies for change are presented in the broader context of sociological theories of organizational behavior and implementation studies. The focus of the first half of the course is on providing learners with tools for understanding and diagnosing problems in the key elements of healthcare organizations, including organizational structures and forms, organizational culture and climate, systems of power and control within healthcare organizations, and the organizational environment. Learning the tools of “organizational anatomy” equips learners with a unique capacity to diagnosis the causes and conditions of implementation failures within organizations. The second half of the course builds on this knowledge by training learners in techniques for organizational change basis, the predominant theories in the field of organizational behavior, including strategic management, theories of implementation and system failures, diffusion of innovation, street-level bureaucracy and backward mapping, along with current consolidated frameworks incorporating these approaches to organizational change.
Course Details
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Understand the nature and scope of organizational change tools for promoting the widespread adoption of new clinical and public health interventions.
- Consider how each tool can be applied to address implementation problems in the student's substantive field of expertise.
- Complete a case study that applies selected tools to the student's area of expertise.
- Identify the parts of any healthcare organization, including its structure, culture, system of power and organizational environment.
- Understand what's unique about the healthcare industry and how this contributes to implementation challenges.
- Analyze how the parts of healthcare organizations come together to produce leverage points for change.
- Map barriers and facilitators of the successful implementation of healthcare policies within organizations.
- Understand how strategic managers adapt healthcare organizations to meet the demands of their organizational environments.
- Analyze the potential for implementation gaps and failures, and how to rig systems for implementation success.
- Develop systems change strategies that take advantage of the spontaneous diffusion of innovation.
- Promote collaborative systems change through “bottom-up” strategies that leverage off of the knowledge of front-line workers.
The course is designed for clinicians, public health practitioners, healthcare professionals, and researchers wishing to gain knowledge and skills in translating evidence into practice.
Training or experience in clinical care, public health, epidemiology, quality improvement, health policy or health care organization leadership. Introduction to Translating Evidence into Practice strongly recommended. Exceptions for these prerequisites may be made with the consent of the instructor.
This course is taught fully remotely (online) with both synchronous and asynchronous components. Learners engage with content organized into 10 weekly modules. Each week, learners view recorded lectures, assigned readings, and submit written assignments in an online forum. Weekly synchronous meetings occur over Zoom. When scheduling meetings, faculty strive to accommodate the schedules of busy professionals across multiple time zones. Synchronous meeting attendance is recommended but not required.
Completing course will take an estimated 5 - 10 hours per module.
Scholars will apply concepts taught in the class in a final case study project. To build the capacity to apply theory to real-world healthcare settings, over the course of this 10-week course, learners will conduct a sustained case study of a single organization in which they possess in-depth knowledge. Homework assignments are intended to support and build towards the final paper.
This course requires learners to have a stable internet connection and access to the Zoom platform for synchronous meetings.
All course materials will be made available on the course website. In the development of case studies, students often benefit from using websites and other materials from their selected organizations.
All learners who meet the minimum course requirements will receive a formal letter documenting their successful completion of the course, its objectives, and requirements. Only leaners who are matriculated in a UCSF Graduate Division program (e.g., Masters, PhD) may receive a letter grade on their UCSF transcript. UCSF graduate students should complete the ImS enrollment form (see below) and enroll via the UCSF Office of the Registrar – Student Portal.
Learners are expected to view video lectures, complete assigned readings, and weekly assignments; to constructively critique other students’ protocols via online forums; to submit a final completed paper; and complete course evaluations.
Completing this course will take an estimated 5-10 hours per module. To receive a letter of course completion, students are expected to:
- Abide by course Ground Rules and Community Norms (see course website)
- Turn in weekly assignments by the designated due date and time in 8 of 10 weeks.
- Provide feedback on assignments submitted by at least two peers by the designated due date and time in 8 of 10 weeks.
- Submit a final case study paper by the designated due date and time at the end of the course.
Success in this course is determined as pass/no pass. Successful learners will receive a letter of course completion following the end of the term.
Students who do not turn in weekly assignments on time or do not provide required feedback to peers in more than two weeks will have the option of auditing or dropping the course. In either case, course fees will not be refunded.
Academic Year 2025-2026: The fee for each course is $2,900. A reduced fee of $2,250 is available for individuals affiliated with UCSF, individuals based in countries designated as low- or lower-middle-income-economies (LMIC), and individuals based in areas of ongoing armed conflict. Applicants seeking the reduced fee will be asked to provide support for their status. UCSF affiliation is defined as concurrent enrollment in a UCSF–sponsored residency or postdoctoral fellowship program; or a registered student in one of the UCSF professional schools or graduate programs; or individuals who hold full-time salaried UCSF faculty, academic, or staff positions.
Fees do not include books, supplies, or software. (These costs are minimal as most readings are from open-access journals.)
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Understand the nature and scope of organizational change tools for promoting the widespread adoption of new clinical and public health interventions.
- Consider how each tool can be applied to address implementation problems in the student's substantive field of expertise.
- Complete a case study that applies selected tools to the student's area of expertise.
- Identify the parts of any healthcare organization, including its structure, culture, system of power and organizational environment.
- Understand what's unique about the healthcare industry and how this contributes to implementation challenges.
- Analyze how the parts of healthcare organizations come together to produce leverage points for change.
- Map barriers and facilitators of the successful implementation of healthcare policies within organizations.
- Understand how strategic managers adapt healthcare organizations to meet the demands of their organizational environments.
- Analyze the potential for implementation gaps and failures, and how to rig systems for implementation success.
- Develop systems change strategies that take advantage of the spontaneous diffusion of innovation.
- Promote collaborative systems change through “bottom-up” strategies that leverage off of the knowledge of front-line workers.
The course is designed for clinicians, public health practitioners, healthcare professionals, and researchers wishing to gain knowledge and skills in translating evidence into practice.
Training or experience in clinical care, public health, epidemiology, quality improvement, health policy or health care organization leadership. Introduction to Translating Evidence into Practice strongly recommended. Exceptions for these prerequisites may be made with the consent of the instructor.
This course is taught fully remotely (online) with both synchronous and asynchronous components. Learners engage with content organized into 10 weekly modules. Each week, learners view recorded lectures, assigned readings, and submit written assignments in an online forum. Weekly synchronous meetings occur over Zoom. When scheduling meetings, faculty strive to accommodate the schedules of busy professionals across multiple time zones. Synchronous meeting attendance is recommended but not required.
Completing course will take an estimated 5 - 10 hours per module.
Scholars will apply concepts taught in the class in a final case study project. To build the capacity to apply theory to real-world healthcare settings, over the course of this 10-week course, learners will conduct a sustained case study of a single organization in which they possess in-depth knowledge. Homework assignments are intended to support and build towards the final paper.
This course requires learners to have a stable internet connection and access to the Zoom platform for synchronous meetings.
All course materials will be made available on the course website. In the development of case studies, students often benefit from using websites and other materials from their selected organizations.
All learners who meet the minimum course requirements will receive a formal letter documenting their successful completion of the course, its objectives, and requirements. Only leaners who are matriculated in a UCSF Graduate Division program (e.g., Masters, PhD) may receive a letter grade on their UCSF transcript. UCSF graduate students should complete the ImS enrollment form (see below) and enroll via the UCSF Office of the Registrar – Student Portal.
Learners are expected to view video lectures, complete assigned readings, and weekly assignments; to constructively critique other students’ protocols via online forums; to submit a final completed paper; and complete course evaluations.
Completing this course will take an estimated 5-10 hours per module. To receive a letter of course completion, students are expected to:
- Abide by course Ground Rules and Community Norms (see course website)
- Turn in weekly assignments by the designated due date and time in 8 of 10 weeks.
- Provide feedback on assignments submitted by at least two peers by the designated due date and time in 8 of 10 weeks.
- Submit a final case study paper by the designated due date and time at the end of the course.
Success in this course is determined as pass/no pass. Successful learners will receive a letter of course completion following the end of the term.
Students who do not turn in weekly assignments on time or do not provide required feedback to peers in more than two weeks will have the option of auditing or dropping the course. In either case, course fees will not be refunded.
Academic Year 2025-2026: The fee for each course is $2,900. A reduced fee of $2,250 is available for individuals affiliated with UCSF, individuals based in countries designated as low- or lower-middle-income-economies (LMIC), and individuals based in areas of ongoing armed conflict. Applicants seeking the reduced fee will be asked to provide support for their status. UCSF affiliation is defined as concurrent enrollment in a UCSF–sponsored residency or postdoctoral fellowship program; or a registered student in one of the UCSF professional schools or graduate programs; or individuals who hold full-time salaried UCSF faculty, academic, or staff positions.
Fees do not include books, supplies, or software. (These costs are minimal as most readings are from open-access journals.)
Meet the Faculty
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How to Enroll
Whether you're exploring the field, enhancing your skills, or working toward a larger academic goal, most individual courses are open to everyone. Below, you’ll find details on course fees, how to apply and pay, and the full course schedule. Be sure you understand the enrollment policies and payment process before completing the enrollment form.
And remember: you only need to submit one form for all the new courses you want to take.
Leaners who are matriculated in a UCSF Graduate Division program (e.g., Masters, PhD) may take this course Pass/No Pass or for a letter grade. Please
- Consult with your program manager about taking ImS courses
- Complete the ImS enrollment form (see below), and
- Enroll via the UCSF Office of the Registrar – Student Portal.
Direct any enrollment questions to your program manager.
Enrollment policies and payment process (please read before completing the enrollment form)
Please complete this form and select courses. An invoice will be sent shortly.
For returning learners or those who previously created an account, please login to your existing account to select additional courses. To find the unique link to your account, search your inbox for UCSF Implementation Science Program: Registration Link.
For help accessing your existing account, please email [email protected].
Enrollment in selected courses will be confirmed upon receipt of payment. If a course fills ahead of the registration deadline, you will be placed on a waitlist and notified.
If the registration deadline has passed, please inquire about enrollment opportunities: [email protected].
About two weeks before the course begins, enrolled learners will be sent a welcome note that includes course access instructions as well as the syllabus.
The schedule of synchronous meetings (Zoom) will be determined during the first week of the course. Please promptly respond to any inquiries about your availability. Direct any questions to the faculty leader of the small group to which you will be assigned.