Introduction to Implementation Science Short Course

By the end of the course, learners will: 

• Understand foundational principles of Implementation Science
• Identify and apply relevant theory and frameworks to their own work
• Strengthen their ability to design and evaluate implementation efforts in a variety of settings (public health, health systems, community, etc.)
• Connect with a growing community of Implementation Science practitioners and researchers

The course is geared toward individuals working in healthcare and public health settings who are familiar with clinical, health services, or population health research methods. 

Participants typically include: clinical and public health researchers, healthcare practitioners, health system leaders and administrators, policy professionals, and trainees (graduate students, clinical residents and fellows, and postdoctoral scholars). 

While prior exposure to research methods is helpful, prior training in Implementation Science is not required. Participants are encouraged to bring on-going work or an area or focus for future improvement efforts to apply the core lecture concepts in small-group settings. If participants do not have an ongoing or future project identified, course leaders will provide sample cases to workshop the foundational concepts and activities covered in the course. 

Instruction is led by core Implementation Science faculty with expertise across clinical, public health, and policy settings.

Major content areas covered by this course include:

• Core principles of Implementation Science
• Defining the evidence-practice gap and making the case for translation
• Overview of Implementation Science Theories and Frameworks
• Community and systems engagement
• Human-centered design in public health and medicine
• Intervention planning and implementation strategy selection with key implementation theories and frameworks
• Evaluation using implementation frameworks in clinical and public health settings
• Qualitative and mixed methods approaches in implementation research
• Study designs for implementation research, including quasi-experimental, pragmatic, and hybrid effectiveness-implementation designs
• Introduction to Grant Writing in Implementation Science

The course combines: 

• Interactive didactic sessions
• Real-time applied exercises
• Dedicated time to develop your own project ideas
• Small group discussion
• One-on-one faculty consultation
• Personalized feedback on the application of concepts to one’s work

All sessions are held via Zoom. The schedule follows Pacific Daylight Time (GMT-7).

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 developing assignment submissions, 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. Additionally, the UCSF Office of Continuing Medical Education will provide documentation for those seeking Continuing Education (CE, CME) credit. 

Learners are expected to attend all lectures (remotely), participate in all small-group activities, and demonstrate progress on applying concepts to a real-world project.  

Graduate students & residents

• $500 (UCSF affiliates)
• $750 (Non-UCSF)

Postdoctoral scholars

• $1,000 (UCSF affiliates)
• $1,250 (Non-UCSF)

Participants residing in LMICs or areas of ongoing armed conflict

• $1,250

All others

• $1,500 (UCSF affiliates)
• $1,750 (Non-UCSF)

Applicants will be asked to provide proof of trainee or postdoctoral status. 

Affiliation is defined as concurrent enrollment in a UCSF-sponsored residency or postdoctoral fellowship program; registered student status in a UCSF professional school or graduate program; or salaried UCSF faculty, academic, or staff appointment. 

The registration fee includes CME credit (if desired).

Cancellations received in writing before May 8, 2026 will be refunded. 

No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after that date.

All faculty and administrative participants have stated they have no financial relationships to disclose. This activity meets exception criteria to identify, mitigate, or disclose relevant financial relationships because it is accredited education that is non-clinical, such as leadership or communication skills training.

CME credit will be available, pending renewal. In 2025, this live activity was approved for up to 14 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits or up to 14 ANCC contact hours.

Accreditations: In support of improving patient care, UCSF is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

UCSF welcomes everyone, including people with disabilities, to our events. To request reasonable accommodations for this online event, please get in touch with Laura Branagan by emailing [email protected] as soon as possible.