Implementation Research: Rethinking Our Approach to NTD Research

Implementation Research (IR) is a systematic approach that recognizes, understands, and addresses implementation bottlenecks and identifies optimal approaches for implementing health interventions, strategies, and policies. IR helps us improve our understanding of the challenges we face in the real world by enhancing our understanding of how real-world factors impact implementation. By doing so, IR sheds light on the intersection between what can be achieved in theory and what happens in practice. Given the importance of IR as a tool to improve interventions in the neglected tropical diseases field, we set out to learn more about IR from Dr. Margaret Gyapong and Dr. Olumide Ogundahunsi. Podcast Guests Dr. Margaret Gyapong Dr. Olumide Ogundahunsi Podcast Host(s) Dr. Alison Krentel Podcast Narrator and Editor: Leshawn Benedict Links to Resources: TDR Implementation Research Toolkit Massive open online course (MOOC) on implementation research: infectious diseases of poverty Implementation Research - Centre for Tropical Medicine Postgraduate training scheme: Building the capacity of the next generation of researchers and global health leaders The African Regional Training Centre (ARTC) Research Methods Series: Photovoice Using Seasonal Calendars as a Step towards identifying context complexities in Mass Drug Administration (MDA) in Lymphatic Filariasis “hotspot” areas in Ghana