MCH Leadership Training Program: An Innovative Application of an Implementation Science Framework.

Area of Science:

• Public Health Training
• Implementation Science
• Leadership Development

Background:

• Maternal and Child Health (MCH) programs train leaders for public health infrastructure.
• Limited research exists on MCH program implementation factors during rapid change and crises.
• Understanding contextual influences is crucial for effective MCH leadership development.

Purpose of the Study:

• Describe a graduate-level MCH leadership training program.
• Illustrate the use of an implementation science framework to identify determinants and lessons learned.
• Inform the adaptation and improvement of MCH training initiatives.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an implementation science framework, specifically the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).
• Examined determinants influencing program implementation over one year.
• Analyzed interactions between constructs across different domains.

Main Results:

• The CFIR framework proved applicable to MCH training programs.
• Identified program determinants acting as both barriers and facilitators.
• Key lessons included the importance of accountability, flexibility, learner-centeredness, and partnerships.

Conclusions:

• Findings offer insights applicable to diverse programs and settings.
• Emphasizes the need for multi-level stakeholder consideration in training.
• Integrating implementation science enhances MCH training rigor, adaptability, and dissemination for leadership capacity building and disparity reduction.