Implementation Science as a Service · in Health Systems

ISaaSin Health Systems

Implementation Science as a Service in Health SystemsFrom Concept to Practice

A course for people who plan, run, fund and study health programmes. Learn how to institutionalise implementation science as a routine capability of the health system.

Illustration: a mother holds her baby outside a primary health care centre while a health worker records vaccinations at a table
  • 8modules
  • 23parts
  • About 7hours in total
  • 5example cases
  • 19tools
  • 1capstone

Eight Modules, One Cycle

Each module builds on the one before it. Open a module to see its parts and learning objectives.

  1. Module 1

    What Is Implementation Science as a Service in Health Systems

    The established science every programme manager needs, why future health systems need implementation research as a core function, the ISaaS definition, and the cycle which organises the course.

    3 parts · 50 minutes
  2. Module 2

    Complexity of Health Systems

    The WHO building blocks, health systems as complex adaptive systems, and tools for understanding complexity.

    2 parts · 23 minutes
  3. Module 3

    Health Systems Challenges

    Workforce, financing, immunisation reach, technology, stockouts and why implementation problems persist, then framing the problem, and intake and triage.

    3 parts · 40 minutes
  4. Module 4

    Embedded Research and the ISaaS Toolkit

    Embedded implementation research, a toolkit organised by problem, and the move from diagnosis to action.

    3 parts · 42 minutes
  5. Module 5

    ISaaS in Operation: Building on Existing Models

    How ISaaS extends earlier models, the service catalogue, and how to measure, learn and adapt without drift.

    4 parts · 58 minutes
  6. Module 6

    What Ministries of Health and Health Agencies Need to Do

    Institutionalising implementation science capability, building the ISaaS team, and governing the service.

    3 parts · 49 minutes
  7. Module 7

    Paving It Forward

    Learning health systems, the service infrastructure and Implementation Operations Centre, and making ISaaS sustainable.

    3 parts · 42 minutes
  8. Module 8

    Conclusion and Capstone

    The answer to the opening question, eleven signature principles, and a capstone in place of an examination.

    2 parts · 95 minutes

The ISaaS Cycle

The course follows eight phases, from naming a problem to making the solution last. Module 1 introduces the cycle and Module 5 puts it into operation.

  1. 01ProblemWhat isn't working?Define and understand
  2. 02DiagnoseWhy is it happening?Find the determinants
  3. 03DesignWhat should we do?Select and tailor strategies
  4. 04ActPut it into practiceSupport delivery
  5. 05MeasureWhat is changing?Track outcomes
  6. 06LearnWhat are we learning?Turn data into decisions
  7. 07AdaptWhat should change?Adapt, protect the core functions
  8. 08SustainHow do we make it last?Refine, scale and sustain

How the Course Works

Self-paced, with no prior training in implementation science required. Read more about the course.

  1. Learn

    Read 8 modules in 23 parts, with diagrams and key takeaways in each part and 35 quiz questions across the course.

  2. Practise

    Follow five example cases set in fictional states, each with a workspace and a short practice simulation.

  3. Apply

    Run a problem from your own work through the cycle in the Operations Centre, with 19 tools to guide each phase.

  4. Build

    Finish with a capstone: a full ISaaS solution for a real problem, built in 16 guided sections.

Who the Course Is For

  • Policymakers and senior officials in ministries of health
  • Programme managers and staff in health agencies, at national, state and district level
  • Researchers and academics who partner with health programmes
  • Funders, development partners and technical partners

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