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Table 3 Updated CFIR domain and construct definitions

From: The updated Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research based on user feedback

Framework guidance:

The CFIR is intended to be used to collect data from individuals who have power and/or influence over implementation outcomes. See the CFIR Outcomes Addendum for guidance on identifying these individuals and selecting outcomes [19]

The CFIR must be fully operationalized prior to use in a project:

(1) Define the subject of each domain for the project (see guidance for each domain below)

(2) Replace broad construct language with project-specific language if needed

(3) Add constructs to capture salient themes not included in the updated CFIR

I. Innovation domain

Innovation: The “thing” being implemented [20], e.g., a new clinical treatment, educational program, or city service

Project Innovation: [Document the innovation being implemented, e.g., innovation type, innovation core vs. adaptable components, using a published reporting guideline [21,22,23,24]. Distinguish the innovation (the “thing” that continues when implementation is complete) [20, 25] from the implementation process and strategies used to implement the innovation [26, 27] (activities that end after implementation is complete) [28].]

Construct name

Construct definition

The degree to which:

 A. Innovation Source

The group that developed and/or visibly sponsored use of the innovation is reputable, credible, and/or trustable

 B. Innovation Evidence Base

The innovation has robust evidence supporting its effectiveness

 C. Innovation Relative Advantage

The innovation is better than other available innovations or current practice

 D. Innovation Adaptability

The innovation can be modified, tailored, or refined to fit local context or needs

 E. Innovation Trialability

The innovation can be tested or piloted on a small scale and undone

 F. Innovation Complexity

The innovation is complicated, which may be reflected by its scope and/or the nature and number of connections and steps

 G. Innovation Design

The innovation is well designed and packaged, including how it is assembled, bundled, and presented

 H. Innovation Cost

The innovation purchase and operating costs are affordable

II. Outer Setting domain

Outer Setting: The setting in which the Inner Setting exists, e.g., hospital system, school district, state. There may be multiple Outer Settings and/or multiple levels within the Outer Setting, e.g., community, system, state

Project Outer Setting(s): [Document the actual Outer Setting in the project, e.g., type, location, and the boundary between the Outer Setting and the Inner Setting.]

Construct name

Construct definition

The degree to which:

 A. Critical Incidents

Large-scale and/or unanticipated events disrupt implementation and/or delivery of the innovation

 B. Local Attitudes

Sociocultural values (e.g., shared responsibility in helping recipients) and beliefs (e.g., convictions about the worthiness of recipients) encourage the Outer Setting to support implementation and/or delivery of the innovation

 C. Local Conditions

Economic, environmental, political, and/or technological conditions enable the Outer Setting to support implementation and/or delivery of the innovation

 D. Partnerships & Connections

The Inner Setting is networked with external entities, including referral networks, academic affiliations, and professional organization networks

 E. Policies & Laws

Legislation, regulations, professional group guidelines and recommendations, or accreditation standards support implementation and/or delivery of the innovation

 F. Financing

Funding from external entities (e.g., grants, reimbursement) is available to implement and/or deliver the innovation

 G. External Pressure

External pressures drive implementation and/or delivery of the innovation

Use this construct to capture themes related to External Pressures that are not included in the subconstructs below

  1. Societal Pressure

Mass media campaigns, advocacy groups, or social movements or protests drive implementation and/or delivery of the innovation

  2. Market Pressure

Competing with and/or imitating peer entities drives implementation and/or delivery of the innovation

  3. Performance Measurement Pressure

Quality or benchmarking metrics or established service goals drive implementation and/or delivery of the innovation

III. Inner Setting domain

Inner Setting: The setting in which the innovation is implemented, e.g., hospital, school, city. There may be multiple Inner Settings and/or multiple levels within the Inner Setting, e.g., unit, classroom, team

Project Inner Setting(s): [Document the actual Inner Setting in the project, e.g., type, location, and the boundary between the Outer Setting and the Inner Setting.]

Construct name

Construct definition

The degree to which:

Note:

Constructs A – D exist in the Inner Setting regardless of implementation and/or delivery of the innovation, i.e., they are persistent general characteristics of the Inner Setting

 A. Structural Characteristics

Infrastructure components support functional performance of the Inner Setting

Use this construct to capture themes related to Structural Characteristics that are not included in the subconstructs below

  1. Physical Infrastructure

Layout and configuration of space and other tangible material features support functional performance of the Inner Setting

  2. Information Technology Infrastructure

Technological systems for tele-communication, electronic documentation, and data storage, management, reporting, and analysis support functional performance of the Inner Setting

  3. Work Infrastructure

Organization of tasks and responsibilities within and between individuals and teams, and general staffing levels, support functional performance of the Inner Setting

 B. Relational Connections

There are high quality formal and informal relationships, networks, and teams within and across Inner Setting boundaries (e.g., structural, professional)

 C. Communications

There are high quality formal and informal information sharing practices within and across Inner Setting boundaries (e.g., structural, professional)

 D. Culture

There are shared values, beliefs, and norms across the Inner Setting

Use this construct to capture themes related to Culture that are not included in the subconstructs below

  1. Human Equality-Centeredness

There are shared values, beliefs, and norms about the inherent equal worth and value of all human beings

  2. Recipient-Centeredness

There are shared values, beliefs, and norms around caring, supporting, and addressing the needs and welfare of recipients

  3. Deliverer-Centeredness

There are shared values, beliefs, and norms around caring, supporting, and addressing the needs and welfare of deliverers

  4. Learning-Centeredness

There are shared values, beliefs, and norms around psychological safety, continual improvement, and using data to inform practice

Note:

Constructs E – K are specific to the implementation and/or delivery of the innovation

 E. Tension for Change

The current situation is intolerable and needs to change

 F. Compatibility

The innovation fits with workflows, systems, and processes

 G. Relative Priority

Implementing and delivering the innovation is important compared to other initiatives

 H. Incentive Systems

Tangible and/or intangible incentives and rewards and/or disincentives and punishments support implementation and delivery of the innovation

 I. Mission Alignment

Implementing and delivering the innovation is in line with the overarching commitment, purpose, or goals in the Inner Setting

 J. Available Resources

Resources are available to implement and deliver the innovation

Use this construct to capture themes related to Available Resources that are not included in the subconstructs below

  1. Funding

Funding is available to implement and deliver the innovation

  2. Space

Physical space is available to implement and deliver the innovation

  3. Materials & Equipment

Supplies are available to implement and deliver the innovation

 K. Access to Knowledge & Information

Guidance and/or training is accessible to implement and deliver the innovation

IV. Individuals domain

Individuals: The roles and characteristics of individuals

Roles subdomain

Project Roles: [Document the roles applicable to the project and their location in the Inner Setting or Outer Setting.]

Construct name

Construct definition

 A. High-level Leaders

Individuals with a high level of authority, including key decision-makers, executive leaders, or directors

 B. Mid-level Leaders

Individuals with a moderate level of authority, including leaders supervised by a high-level leader and who supervise others

 C. Opinion Leaders

Individuals with informal influence on the attitudes and behaviors of others

 D. Implementation Facilitators

Individuals with subject matter expertise who assist, coach, or support implementation

 E. Implementation Leads

Individuals who lead efforts to implement the innovation

 F. Implementation Team Members

Individuals who collaborate with and support the Implementation Leads to implement the innovation, ideally including Innovation Deliverers and Recipients

 G. Other Implementation Support

Individuals who support the Implementation Leads and/or Implementation Team Members to implement the innovation

 H. Innovation Deliverers

Individuals who are directly or indirectly delivering the innovation

 I. Innovation Recipients

Individuals who are directly or indirectly receiving the innovation

Characteristics subdomain

Project Characteristics: [Document the characteristics applicable to the roles in the project based on the COM-B system [29] or role-specific theories.]

Construct name

Construct definition:

The degree to which:

 A. Need

The individual(s) has deficits related to survival, well-being, or personal fulfillment, which will be addressed by implementation and/or delivery of the innovation

 B. Capability

The individual(s) has interpersonal competence, knowledge, and skills to fulfill Role

 C. Opportunity

The individual(s) has availability, scope, and power to fulfill Role

 D. Motivation

The individual(s) is committed to fulfilling Role

V. Implementation Process domain

Implementation Process: The activities and strategies used to implement the innovation

Project Implementation Process: [Document the implementation process framework [8] and/or activities and strategies [26, 27] being used to implement the innovation. Distinguish the implementation process used to implement the innovation (activities that end after implementation is complete) from the innovation (the “thing” that continues when implementation is complete) [20, 25, 28].

Construct name

Construct definition:

The degree to which individuals:

 A. Teaming

Join together, intentionally coordinating and collaborating on interdependent tasks, to implement the innovation

 B. Assessing Needs

Collect information about priorities, preferences, and needs of people

Use this construct to capture themes related to Assessing Needs that are not included in the subconstructs below

  1. Innovation Deliverers

Collect information about the priorities, preferences, and needs of deliverers to guide implementation and delivery of the innovation

  2. Innovation Recipients

Collect information about the priorities, preferences, and needs of recipients to guide implementation and delivery of the innovation

 C. Assessing Context

Collect information to identify and appraise barriers and facilitators to implementation and delivery of the innovation

 D. Planning

Identify roles and responsibilities, outline specific steps and milestones, and define goals and measures for implementation success in advance

 E. Tailoring Strategies

Choose and operationalize implementation strategies to address barriers, leverage facilitators, and fit context

 F. Engaging

Attract and encourage participation in implementation and/or the innovation

Use this construct to capture themes related to Engaging that are not included in the subconstructs below

 1. Innovation Deliverers

Attract and encourage deliverers to serve on the implementation team and/or to deliver the innovation

 2. Innovation Recipients

Attract and encourage recipients to serve on the implementation team and/or participate in the innovation

 G. Doing

Implement in small steps, tests, or cycles of change to trial and cumulatively optimize delivery of the innovation

 H. Reflecting & Evaluating

Collect and discuss quantitative and qualitative information about the success of implementation and/or the innovation

Use this construct to capture themes related to Reflecting & Evaluating that are not included in the subconstructs below

  1. Implementation

Collect and discuss quantitative and qualitative information about the success of implementation

  2. Innovation

Collect and discuss quantitative and qualitative information about the success of the innovation

 I. Adapting

Modify the innovation and/or the Inner Setting for optimal fit and integration into work processes