AUTHOR=Aziz Zahra , Haregu Tilahun , Kyobutungi Catherine , Yan Lijing , Irazola Vilma , Absetz Pilvikki , Bandurek Isobel , Roberts Morven , Vedanthan Rajesh , Folkes Sheree , Cao Yingting , Wen Yu , Aung Myo Nyein , Danhieux Katrien , Desloge Allissa , Oldenburg Brian 

TITLE=Strengthening Capacity for Implementation Research Amid COVID-19 Pandemic: Learnings From the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases Implementation Science School

JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health

VOLUME=67

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2022.1604944

DOI=10.3389/ijph.2022.1604944

ISSN=1661-8564

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Objective:</bold> To describe the design, delivery and evaluation of the 3rd Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD) Implementation Science School (ISS), delivered virtually in 2020 for the first time.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> Since 2014, GACD has supported the delivery of more than ten Implementation Science Workshops for more than 500 international participants. It has also been conducting an annual ISS since 2018. In this study, we described the design, delivery and evaluation of the third ISS.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> Forty-six participants from 23 countries in five WHO regions attended the program. The virtual delivery was well-received and found to be efficient in program delivery, networking and for providing collaborative opportunities for trainees from many different countries. The recently developed GACD Implementation Science e-Hub was found to be an instrumental platform to support the program by providing a stand-alone, comprehensive online learning space for knowledge and skill development in implementation research.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> The delivery of the virtual GACD ISS proved to be feasible, acceptable and effective and offers greater scalability and sustainability as part of a future strategy for capacity strengthening in implementation research globally.</p>