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DISSEMINATION & IMPLEMENTATION SCIENCE CORE (DISC)

DISSEMINATION & IMPLEMENTATION SCIENCE CORE (DISC)

The Utah CTSI Dissemination and Implementation Science Core (DISC) aims to speed research discovery to real-world practice to improve health and wellbeing for all. We develop and apply innovative methods and support researchers and their community partners in testing and evaluating dissemination and implementation strategies. DISC faculty provide methodological expertise in theories, models, and frameworks, pragmatic measurement and evaluation plans, and rigorous study designs and analysis. The DISC also cultivates the next generation of dissemination and implementation scientists through a variety of mentored training and educational opportunities.

OUR MISSION & SERVICES

We provide consultation to researchers and others at the University of Utah and beyond for dissemination and implementation science methodology, specifically:

  • Theories, models, and frameworks (e.g., RE-AIM, IRLM, CFIR, PRISM, EPIS)
  • Measurement and evaluation
  • Implementation strategy selection, tailoring, and tracking
  • Study and trial design and analysis

OUR FACULTY & EXPERTISE

J.D. Smith, PhD (DISC Director)

  • Implementation research logic model (IRLM), equitable implementation, trial designs, implementation strategy tracking, tailored implementation strategies, pragmatic measurement and evaluation, multisector partnerships

Elizabeth Sloss, PhD (DISC Assistant Director)

  • Digital health intervention implementation strategies, electronic patient reported outcome (ePRO) implementation, clinical workflow, clinical decision support integration

Paul Estabrooks, PhD

  • Dissemination & implementation (D&I) theories, models, frameworks, designing for dissemination, equity, and sustainability, community engaged D&I, D&I context-strategy-mechanism- outcome mapping

Jennie Hill, PhD

  • Policy implementation; cross sectoral implementation strategies; community-engaged D&I, participatory design; health promotion implementation

James Merle, PhD

  • Dissemination & implementation (D&I) theories, models & frameworks, implementation strategy tracking (LISTS), Implementation Research Logic Model (IRLM), measurement and evaluation, School-based implementation

Chelsey Schlechter, PhD 

  • Community-engaged dissemination and implementation research; digital health implementation strategies; clinical and community settings; application of D&I theories, models, and frameworks; advancing equity in implementation and dissemination

Olutobi Sanuade, PhD

  • Equitable implementation, tailored implementation strategies, health disparities, global cardiovascular health, mixed methods design

Andrea Wallace, PhD

  • Application of implementation science frameworks, pragmatic evaluation in clinical settings, pragmatic trial designs, social determinants and context in D&I

Section Director

J.D. Smith, PhD

Members

Paul Estabrooks, PhD
Jennie Hill, PhD
James Merle, PhD
Chelsey Schlechter, PhD
Olutobi Sanuade, PhD
Elizabeth Sloss, PhD
Andrea Wallace, PhD