Table 3 A minimum data set of implementation outcomes and determinants

Implementation outcomes

Delivery of the intervention

Delivery of implementation strategies

Definitions

Definitions

1. Adoption

Proportion and representativeness of providers or the delivery team* that deliver an intervention [25].

Proportion and representativeness of the support system* that utilize implementation strategies.

2. Dose delivered

(dose)

Intended units of each intervention component delivered to participants by the delivery team [38].

Intended units of each implementation strategy delivered by the support system.

3. Reach

Proportion of the intended priority audience (i.e., participants) who participate in the intervention [39].

Proportion of the intended priority populations (organizations and/or participants) that participate in the intervention.

4. Fidelity

(adherence)

The extent to which an intervention is implemented as it was prescribed in the intervention protocol - by the delivery team [5].

The extent to which implementation strategies are implemented as prescribed in the scale-up plan - by the support system.

5. Sustainability

(maintenance)

Whether an intervention continues to be delivered and/or individual behaviour change is maintained; intervention and individual behaviour change may evolve or adapt with continued benefits for individuals after a defined period of time [40].

Whether implementation strategies continue to be delivered and/or behaviour change at the system level are maintained; implementation strategies and behaviour change at the system level may evolve or adapt with continued benefits for systems after a defined period of time.

Implementation determinants

Delivery of the intervention

Delivery of the implementation strategy

1. Context

Aspects of the larger social, political, and economic environment that may influence intervention implementation [41].

Aspects of the larger social, political, and economic environment that may influence delivery of the implementation strategies

2. Acceptability

Perceptions among the delivery team that a given intervention is agreeable, palatable, or satisfactory [16].

Perceptions among the support system that implementation strategies are agreeable, palatable, or satisfactory.

3. Adaptability

Extent to which an intervention can be adapted, tailored, refined, or reinvented to meet local needs [27].

Extent to which implementation strategies can be adapted, tailored, refined, or reinvented to meet the needs of organizations at scale-up.

4. Feasibility

Perceptions among the delivery team that an intervention can be successfully used or carried out within a given organization or setting [16].

Perceptions among the support system that implementation strategies can be successfully used or carried out at scale within different organizations or settings.

5. Compatibility

(appropriateness)

Extent to which an intervention fits with the mission, priorities, and values of organizations or settings [17].

Extent to which implementation strategies fit with the mission, priorities, and values of organizations at scale-up.

6. Cost

Money spent on design, adaptation and implementation of an intervention [42].

Money spent on design, adaptation and delivery of implementation strategies.

7. Culture

Organizations’ norms, values, and basic assumptions around selected health outcomes [27].

Organizations’ norms, values, and basic assumptions around selected implementation strategies.

8. Dose

(satisfaction)

Delivery team’s satisfaction with an intervention and with interactions with the support system [38].

Support system’s satisfaction with implementation strategies.

9. Complexity

Perceptions among the delivery team that a given intervention is relatively difficult to understand and use; number of different intervention components [27, 37].

Perceptions among the support system that implementation strategies are relatively difficult to understand and use; number of different strategies. Related to implementation setting.

10. Self-efficacy

Delivery team’s belief in its ability to execute courses of action to achieve implementation goals [43].

Support system’s belief in its ability to execute courses of action to achieve implementation goals.