Introduction to Implementation Science in Health Research
Graduate School of Health and Medical Sciences at University of Copenhagen
This is a generic course. This means that the course is reserved for PhD students at the Graduate School of Health and Medical Sciences at UCPH.
Anyone can apply for the course, but if you are not a PhD student at the Graduate School, you will be placed on the waiting list until enrollment deadline. After the enrolment deadline, available seats will be allocated to the waiting list.
The course is free of charge for PhD students at Danish universities (except Copenhagen Business School), and for PhD students at NorDoc member faculties. All other participants must pay the course fee.
Course title : Introduction to Implementation Science in Health Research
Learning objectives
A student who has met the objectives of the course will be able to:
1. Achieve knowledge of Implementation Science (IS) and gain an introduction to selected key concepts
2. To develop knowledge and skills to analyze and differentiate between intervention research and implementation research
3. To acquire knowledge and skills to develop a program theory for their implementation projects
4. Gain an introductory understanding of hybrid designs and their relevance for combining intervention and implementation research.
5. Prepared a written assignment for the intervention and/or implementation.
6. Create networks among implementation researchers.
Content
The translation of evidence-based interventions into routine practice remains one of the most persistent challenges in health and medical sciences. While clinical and public health research often generates interventions with documented positive effects, their implementation in real-world contexts is frequently hindered by barriers such as organizational resistance, lack of resources, insufficient managerial support, or structural constraints. Evidence indicates that the vast majority of resources are allocated to the development of new interventions, whereas comparatively little attention is given to their implementation. Consequently, many well-designed projects never achieve the intended impact in practice.
This two-day introductory course in Implementation Science (IS) addresses this “knowing–doing gap” by providing participants with foundational knowledge, concepts, and methods to support the implementation of interventions and changes within healthcare and public health. The course situates IS as a growing interdisciplinary field and highlights its relevance for strengthening the uptake, sustainability, and impact of evidence-based practices.
Participants will be introduced to selected key concepts in IS and will develop the ability to differentiate between intervention research and implementation research. The course further offers an introduction to hybrid designs that combine elements of both research traditions. A central component is the development of program theory, enabling participants to systematically plan and reflect on their own implementation projects.
Through lectures, group-based discussions, and applied exercises, participants will engage with core challenges in implementation and prepare a short-written assignment linked to their own professional or research context. In addition, the course provides a platform for networking with peers and researchers working with implementation across disciplines.
Participants
Minimum 16 participants, maximum 20 participants
The course is designed for students at PhD-level or postdoc level who are novices in Implementation Science (IS) and wish to acquire a basic introduction to the field. It is also open to students who are already engaged in an implementation-related project and would like to combine this introductory training with the extended advanced IS course (3962-26-00-00). Applicants should have an academic background in health, public health, medical sciences or social sciences, but no prior experience with Implementation Science is required.
Relevance to graduate programmes
The course is relevant to PhD students from the following graduate programmes at the Graduate School of Health and Medical Sciences, UCPH: all programmes
All graduate programmes
Language
English
Form
Lectures, group work and discussions
Course director
Senior researcher, Associate professor in implementation research, Jeanette Wassar Kirk, Ph.D., Department of Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital, Amager and Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark and Department of Health and Social Context, National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark. E-mail: jeanette.wassar.kirk@regionh.dk
Teachers
Senior researcher, Associate professor in implementation research, Jeanette Wassar Kirk, Ph.D., Department of Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital, Amager and Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark and Department of Health and Social Context, National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark.
Professor Thomas Q Bandholm, Department of Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital, Amager and Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark and Clinical Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation at the Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Associate professor Marie Broholm-Jørgensen, Department of Health and Social Context, National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
Professor Per Nilsen, Department of Health, Medical and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
Professor Ove Andersen, Department of Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital, Amager and Hvidovre, Copenhagen and Department of Clinical Medicine, Denmark
Dates
2 - 3 March 2026
Course location
Clinical Research Department, University Hospital Hvidovre Hospital, room 4
Registration
Please register before 19 January 2026
Expected frequency
Once a year
Seats to PhD students from other Danish universities will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and according to the applicable rules. Applications from other participants will be considered after the last day of enrolment.
Note: All applicants are asked to submit invoice details in case of no-show, late cancellation or obligation to pay the course fee (typically non-PhD students). If you are a PhD student, your participation in the course must be in agreement with your principal supervisor.