Implementation Research: step-by-step guide to a successful implementation research study

Implementation Research: step-by-step guide to a successful implementation research study

Implementation Research (IR) is research that addresses implementation bottlenecks in order to deliver effective health care interventions. It aims to identify solutions to overcome implementation problems. This later may inform policy decisions and scale-up effective interventions, which can generate better health outcomes and strengthen the overall health system. Network Medicus Mundi Switzerland presents this IR guide, which is designed to support NGOs interested in applying IR within their projects. It includes the conceptual definition of IR and a practical step-by-step guide from the design to the dissemination of an IR study.

Implementation Research of Swiss NGOs Working in the Field of International Health Cooperation

Implementation Research of Swiss NGOs Working in the Field of International Health Cooperation

The study provides a qualitative overview of existing strategies, practices and capacities on how Implementation Research (IR) is done by members of the network Medicus Mundi Switzerland (MMS). MMS’s strategy describes the importance of IR for its network. MMS initiated a study about IR to provide (i) a qualitative overview and (ii) a learning process to promote NGO led research. IR is a scientific inquiry into questions concerning the act of fulfilling or carrying out a practice or an intervention. IR is a young, ambitious research field gaining importance in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals.

FACTSHEET on Implementation Research

FACTSHEET on Implementation Research

Member organizations of the Network Medicus Mundi Switzerland (MMS) work together to enhance Implementation Research (IR) within their organizations and to promote an NGO driven research in Switzerland’s international health cooperation. (Photo: Baaba Maal inspects failed corn crops in Mauritania/Oxfam International/flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

MMI working group on effective health cooperation (MMI EHC)

MMI working group on effective health cooperation (MMI EHC)

The MMI working group on Effective Health Cooperation was successfully launched in the past year debates on the future of international health cooperation. Are our methods and approaches in international health cooperation still timely? Why do we not succeed in improving the health of millions of people? The working group on "Effective Health Cooperation" aims to undertake a self-critical reflection on their work and funding new ways for analysing their data and experiences in order to improve the engagement of the right to health.