Proposing the observational-implementation hybrid approach: designing observational research for rapid translation

We propose the observational-implementation hybrid approach-the incorporation of implementation science methods and measures into observational studies to collect information that would allow researchers to an-ticipate, estimate, or infer the effects of interventions and implementation strategies. Essentially, we propose that researchers collect implementation data early in the research pipeline, in situations where they might not typically be thinking about implementation science. We describe three broad contextual scenarios through which the observational-implementation hybrid approach would most productively be applied. The first ap-plication is for observational cohorts that individually enroll participants-either for existing (to which im-plementation concepts could be added) or for newly planned studies. The second application is with routinely collected program data, at either the individual or aggregate levels. The third application is to the collection of data from study participants enrolled in an observational cohort study who are also involved in interventions linked to that study (e.g., collecting data about their experiences with those interventions). Examples of relevant implementation data that could be collected as part of observational studies include factors relevant to transportability, participant preferences, and participant/provider perspectives regarding interventions and implementation strategies. The observational-implementation hybrid model provides a practical approach to make the research pipeline more efficient and to decrease the time from observational research to health impact. If this approach is widely adopted, observational and implementation science studies will become more integrated; this will likely lead to new collaborations, will encourage the expansion of epidemiological training, and, we hope, will push both epidemiologists and implementation scientists to increase the public health impact of their work.(c) 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The observational-implementation hybrid approach combines implementation science methods and measures with observational studies to anticipate and estimate the effects of interventions and implementation strategies. It can be applied to different scenarios, including observational cohorts, routinely collected program data, and data collection from study participants involved in interventions. This approach can improve the efficiency of the research pipeline and promote collaboration between epidemiologists and implementation scientists to increase the public health impact of their work.