Methods
A blended approach of Human-Centred Design, Implementation Science, and Systems Thinking
Human-Centred Design
Human-centred design is an approach which actively engages stakeholders in the design process using cutting-edge methods to ensure interventions are optimised for both front-line use and local and national implementation. It involves five phases:
Empathize – getting to know key stakeholders to identify perceptions, needs, goals and priorities
Define – agreeing the challenge(s) to be addressed
Ideate – brainstorming potential interventions
Prototype – developing and refining solutions
Test – evaluating and refinding solutions
Human-centred design, allows for the active engagement of stakeholders in the identification and selection of wellbeing priorities and co-development of solutions. The solution evaluation is based on stakeholder-defined indicators of success. The linking of solutions to indicators selected by stakeholders further increases their acceptability and scalability as stakeholders are able to see how the solution fits their needs and priorities. It builds upon recent use of human-centred design within adolescent health in low resource settings. This work demonstrates not only the feasibility of engaging adolescents in the implementation process but the ability to use this approach in a context of high levels of associated stigma.
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Evidence-based research is at the core of what we do. Click on the article for a digestible summary and a link to the original papers that inspire and drive our work.
STAY TUNED! We are currently working on writing and uploading more lay summaries (and short video overviews!) of key publications. Keep an eye out!
Implementation Science
Whereas implementation research seeks to understand what, why, and how interventions work in real-world settings implementation science is the study of methods used to carry out this research. Specifically, implementation science offers theories, models, frameworks and other methodologies to optimise and evaluate the implementation of evidence-informed care. The methods offered through implementation science can inform decision-makers on how best to design, implement and adapt interventions in the dynamic environments in which they work, to produce new knowledge for more effective strategies and implementation. For example, implementation science determinant frameworks describe contextual and behavioural barriers that are known to influence implementation outcomes, and include key factors to consider in the evaluation of the process of implementation. We will use the Context and Implementation of Complex Intervention (CICI) framework which offers a detailed approach to identifying determinants from the external context (e.g., sociocultural, socioeconomic, political, epidemiological, ethical, and legal) that are known to influence implementation effectiveness that are particularly relevant to LMICs.
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Evidence-based research is at the core of what we do. Click on the article for a digestible summary and a link to the original papers that inspire and drive our work.
STAY TUNED! We are currently working on writing and uploading more lay summaries (and short video overviews!) of key publications. Keep an eye out!
Systems Thinking
At its core, systems thinking is an approach which aims to understand and address the interconnectedness of the micro, meso and macro levels of a given system. Its goal is to identify and make explicit the models and assumptions which govern how and why interventions. Booth (Booth, 2018) identifies the limitations of traditional human-centred design approaches when used to address complex challenges and asserts that a combination of human-centred design and systems thinking approaches may be the way forward in developing scalable and sustainable solutions. Systems thinking tools include systems archetypes (through which models of influence across system levels and common behaviours are made explicit) and scenario planning in which future events and possible outcomes are identified.
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Read
Evidence-based research is at the core of what we do. Click on the article for a digestible summary and a link to the original papers that inspire and drive our work.
STAY TUNED! We are currently working on writing and uploading more lay summaries (and short video overviews!) of key publications. Keep an eye out!