Table 1 Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) constructs and descriptions [22]

A

Intervention source

Perception of key stakeholders about whether the intervention is externally or internally developed.

B

Evidence strength & quality

Stakeholders’ perceptions of the quality and validity of evidence supporting the belief that the intervention will have desired outcomes.

C

Relative advantage

Stakeholders’ perception of the advantage of implementing the intervention versus an alternative solution.

D

Adaptability

The degree to which an intervention can be adapted, tailored, refined, or reinvented to meet local needs.

E

Trialability

The ability to test the intervention on a small scale in the organization, and to be able to reverse course (undo implementation) if warranted.

F

Complexity

Perceived difficulty of implementation, reflected by duration, scope, radicalness, disruptiveness, centrality, and intricacy and number of steps required to implement.

G

Design quality & packaging

Perceived excellence in how the intervention is bundled, presented, and assembled.

H

Cost

Costs of the intervention and costs associated with implementing the intervention including investment, supply, and opportunity costs.

A

Patient needs & resources

The extent to which patient needs, as well as barriers and facilitators to meet those needs, are accurately known and prioritized by the organization.

B

Cosmopolitanism

The degree to which an organization is networked with other external organizations.

C

Peer pressure

Mimetic or competitive pressure to implement an intervention; typically because most or other key peer or competing organizations have already implemented or are in a bid for a competitive edge.

D

External policy & incentives

A broad construct that includes external strategies to spread interventions, including policy and regulations (governmental or other central entity), external mandates, recommendations and guidelines, pay-for-performance, collaboratives, and public or benchmark reporting.

A

Structural characteristics

The social architecture, age, maturity, and size of an organization.

B

Networks & communications

The nature and quality of webs of social networks and the nature and quality of formal and informal communications within an organization.

C

Culture

Norms, values, and basic assumptions of a given organization.

D

Implementation climate

The absorptive capacity for change, shared receptivity of involved individuals to an intervention, and the extent to which the use of that intervention will be rewarded, supported, and expected within their organization.

1

Tension for change

The degree to which stakeholders perceive the current situation as intolerable or needing change.

2

Compatibility

The degree of tangible fit between meaning and values attached to the intervention by involved individuals, how those align with individuals’ own norms, values, and perceived risks and needs, and how the intervention fits with existing workflows and systems.

3

Relative priority

Individuals’ shared perception of the importance of the implementation within the organization.

4

Organizational incentives & rewards

Extrinsic incentives such as goal-sharing awards, performance reviews, promotions, and raises in salary, and less tangible incentives such as increased stature or respect.

5

Goals and feedback

The degree to which goals are clearly communicated, acted upon, and fed back to staff, and alignment of that feedback with goals.

6

Learning climate

A climate in which: a) leaders express their own fallibility and need for team members’ assistance and input; b) team members feel that they are essential, valued, and knowledgeable partners in the change process; c) individuals feel psychologically safe to try new methods; and d) there is sufficient time and space for reflective thinking and evaluation.

E

Readiness for implementation

Tangible and immediate indicators of organizational commitment to its decision to implement an intervention.

1

Leadership engagement

Commitment, involvement, and accountability of leaders and managers with the implementation.

2

Available resources

The level of resources dedicated for implementation and on-going operations, including money, training, education, physical space, and time.

3

Access to knowledge & information

Ease of access to digestible information and knowledge about the intervention and how to incorporate it into work tasks.

A

Knowledge & beliefs about the intervention

Individuals’ attitudes toward and value placed on the intervention as well as familiarity with facts, truths, and principles related to the intervention.

B

Self-efficacy

Individual belief in their own capabilities to execute courses of action to achieve implementation goals.

C

Individual stage of change

Characterization of the phase an individual is in, as he or she progresses toward skilled, enthusiastic, and sustained use of the intervention.

D

Individual identification with organization

A broad construct related to how individuals perceive the organization, and their relationship and degree of commitment with that organization.

E

Other personal attributes

A broad construct to include other personal traits such as tolerance of ambiguity, intellectual ability, motivation, values, competence, capacity, and learning style.