Table 2 The concept of communication in implementation models
From: Hiding in plain sight: communication theory in implementation science
Implementation model | Communication: explicit or implied? | How communication is conceptualized and/or defined | Theoretical underpinnings of the model |
|---|---|---|---|
Dimensions of strategic change [68] | Explicit | Communication mechanisms are mentioned, but there is no definition. | Competition and strategic change |
A multi-level conceptual framework of organizational innovation adoption [69] | Explicit | Communication is conceptualized in several ways: as a marketing activity done by suppliers to influence potential customers’ perceptions; as a medium (i.e., communication technology or system); as an interpersonal process. There is no definition. | Diffusion of innovations |
A conceptual model for implementation effectiveness [37] | Explicit | Implementation climate instrument includes six items to measure communication, conceptualized as information exchange. There is no definition. | Organizational behavior |
Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARIHS) [35] | Implied | Communication is inferred in the element of context. | Diffusion of innovations; organizational theories and humanism |
A conceptual framework for transferring research to practice [70] | Explicit | Communication is mentioned as an element of the climate in which change is to occur, but not defined. | Organizational behavior; diffusion of innovations |
A conceptual model for considering the determinants of diffusion, dissemination, and implementation of innovations in health service delivery and organization [29] | Explicit | Several views of communication are provided. Mention is made of communication channels; interpersonal and inter-organizational communication; communication as a component of the diffusion process. There is no definition. | Diffusion of innovations |
Ottawa model of research use [50] | Implied | Communication is implied in several stages of the model and conceptualized as interpersonal process (e.g., adapting knowledge requires dialogue; lack of mutual understanding between disciplines is a barrier to knowledge use). | Diffusion of innovations; planned action theory |
Availability, responsiveness, and continuity: An organizational and community intervention model [39] | Explicit | Change agents are charged with facilitating communication, but no definition of communication is provided. | General systems theory; diffusion of innovations; socio-technical theory; organizational theories |
An organizational transformation model [71] | Explicit | Communication is identified as a factor necessary for successful change, but not defined. | Microsystems; diffusion of innovations |
Will it work here? A decision-maker’s guide adopting innovations [72] | Explicit | Communication is conceptualized in several ways: as information exchange; as an outcome (e.g., improved communication); as a skill; also, “bridge communication gaps.” There is no definition. | Diffusion of innovations |
A practical, robust implementation and sustainability model (PRISM) [51] | Explicit | Communication is conceptualized in two ways: as a bridge between researchers and adopters, and as a managerial activity to help convey sense of support. There is no definition. | Diffusion of innovations; social ecology; chronic care model |
A framework of dissemination in health services intervention research [73] | Implied | Communication is inferred by phrases such as “networks and linkages” and “flows of information.” | Social cognitive and learning theories; organization and social change theories; agency theory; diffusion of innovations |
A conceptual framework for transferring knowledge into action [26] | Explicit | Communication is mentioned as a common component of the knowledge transfer process, and conceptualized as information transfer, but not defined. | Framework drawn from multiple theories |
Normalization process theory (NPT) [33] | Implied | Communication is implicit in this theory which has interaction and group processes as foundational elements. | Sociological theories focusing on social processes |
An organizational theory of implementation effectiveness [36] | Explicit | “Persuasive” communication is mentioned but not defined. | Organizational behavior |
A model for large-scale knowledge translation [34] | Implied | Engaging, educating, executing, and evaluating interventions require communication. | Not evident |
Sticky knowledge [38] | Explicit | Communication theory is mentioned, and a link between knowledge transfer and communication is described (i.e., ease of communication). Communication gaps between the source and recipient of knowledge are mentioned. There is no definition. | Communication theory; strategic management |
A conceptual model of evidence-based practice implementation [40] | Explicit | Communication is described in two ways: as a product, and as pathways. There is no definition. | Diffusion of innovations |
Stetler model [28] | Implied | Communication is implied in the group facilitation required for research utilization. | Planned action theories |
Iowa model of evidence-based practice [28] | Implied | An assumption of the model is that working as a group is an important part of applying evidence in practice, which suggested the use of communication. | Quality and performance improvement, organization and systems literatures |
Dissemination and use of research evidence for policy and practice [28] | Implied | The model describes a process by which “decision makers engage in evidence-based decision making”, implying the use of communication. | Diffusion of innovations |
Advancing research and clinical practice through close collaboration [28] | Implied | Collaboration with interdisciplinary professionals to foster evidence-based practices implies the use of communication. | Control theory and cognitive behavior theory |
The Joanna Briggs Institute model of evidence-based healthcare [28] | Implied | Evidence or knowledge transfer requires communication. | Not evident |
The Knowledge-to-Action framework [28] | Implied | A key mechanism for turning knowledge into action is social interaction, which implies the use of communication. | Planned action theories |
The Quality Implementation Framework (QIF) [47] | Explicit | “Effective” communication is mentioned but not defined. | Diffusion of innovations |
The Tehran University of Medical Sciences Knowledge translation Cycle [48] | Explicit | Communication between producers and users of knowledge is mentioned; communication is identified as a skill and as a network. There is no definition. | Not evident |
Diffusion of innovations [49] | Explicit | Communication is defined as a process in which participants create and share information to reach mutual understanding. | Sociological theory |